South Korean defense minister Shin Won-sik instructed the country’s air force personnel to prepare to swiftly “eliminate enemy leadership” and bring an end to the regime should North Korea initiate a war against the South. 

Shin made the remarks during a visit to the ROK airforce’s 17th Fighter Wing on Wednesday, telling jet pilots and operative personnel to utilize the “discreet infiltration and ultra-precision strike capabilities unique to the F-35,” to respond “resolutely” to any provocations.