Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Expanding the overwhelming Korean 3-axis defense system capabilities to counter North Korean nuclear threat

Conducting 11 combined field training exercises within the year

Achieving a fundamental strengthening of the ROK-US combined defense posture

Building a multi-layered missile defense system

Securing automation systems, including multidimensional video fusion system

Cultivating moral strength, including education for service members

A leap ahead in the ROK-US military alliance

The Ministry of National Defense plans to put the fundamental strengthening of the combined defense posture first by expanding the training and exercises between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (US). In this context, the ministry plans to carry out 11 combined field training exercises, including the combined scientific combat training to be conducted by the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC) in August to September, and plans to extend these next year. The ministry also plans to resume the combined carrier strike group training and regimental level field training exercises such as amphibious training.

The title of the combined military exercise has been changed to ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS)’ as a gesture of carrying on the tradition of the ROK-US alliance and the reestablishment of the theater combined exercise system. Starting with the combined exercise to be held in the second half of the year, the ministry seeks to enhance its practical capabilities to deal with possible all-out war in the country by combining the military training and the government’s training every year.

As a follow-up measure to the ROK-US summit held in May, the ministry plans to establish an assistant minister-level ‘ROK-US defense science and technology council’ to invigorate political and strategic consultations in the full range of scientific and technical cooperation in the area of defense. The ministry will work to reinforce a comprehensive system to respond to North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles by developing a system to implement the deterrence strategy customized to the ROK and the US, as well as resuming the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) and establishing a procedure to discuss the deployment of US strategic assets.

The ministry is focused on pushing ahead with the mutually agreed protocols in a systematic and stable way, including the evaluation of the full operational capability (FOC) of the future combined command, and proactively securing the core military capability of our armed forces to respond to the North Korean nuclear and missile threat, maintaining the principle that the ‘transition of the wartime operational control (OPCON)’ is conducted when conditions are satisfied.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >