Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Discussed at the seventh Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue(KIDD) held in Washington, D.C.

 

The Korean and U.S. defense ministries are establishing a Korea-U.S. Deterrence Strategy Committee(DSC) to have an integrated response ability against North Korean nuclear, weapons of mass destruction(WMD) and ballistic missile threats.

 

The seventh KIDD was held in Washington, D.C., on April 14-15, having policy director, Ryu Je-seung and deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, David Helvey as the chief delegates. They held discussions, including establishment of the DSC, follow-up action after taking over wartime control, foundation of the tentatively-named Korean Defense Veterans Association (KODVA), etc.

 

The Korea-U.S. DSC is a combined committee of the former Extended Deterrence Policy Committee (EDPC) and Counter Missile Capability Committee (CMCC), and its main tasks are development of concept of deterrence, military capability and action plan against North Korea’s nuclear, WMD and ballistic missile threats; actualization of the concept of 4D operation - detect, defend, disrupt and destroy – to operational scheme level; and security and reinforcement of the effectiveness, ability and sustainment of the U.S. extended deterrence such as nuclear umbrella, traditional strike capabilities, etc.

 

“Based on customized deterrence strategy and 4D operational concept, it will be possible to deter and respond effectively to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. Also, the U.S.’ ability inside and outside the Korean Peninsula and Korea’s Kill Chain and Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) can be utilized systematically. Interoperability of military capability between the two countries would be enhanced as well,” an MND official said regarding the operational effect of DSC.

 

And both countries agreed to develop a new strategic document that replaces the previous “Strategic Alliance 2015” until the 47th Security Consultative Meeting(SCM) to be held this year, as a follow-up to the MOU for switching over wartime control based on conditions agreed upon at last SCM.

 

The new strategic document will include contents about the detailed implementation plan for the MOU, which are necessary to carry out the wartime control switching-over systematically, and consist of a main body and supplement. At this KIDD, they focused on detailed implementation plans for the MOU and the direction of military preparations for the Korean Army to meet the requirements, and agreed with the main body of the new strategic document.

 

Both defense ministries also agreed to support the foundation of KODVA for the U.S. reserve forces who served in the Army for Korean defense.

 

They are considering that the reserves and civilian personnel in the military service would be regular members of KODVA and active officers and men as honorary members. The foundation of KODVA is being carried out with active support from the Korean and U.S. MND under the lead of the Embassy of Korea in the U.S. Once KODVA is established, it will award a scholarship to children of ex-U.S. forces in Korea, select and reward the exemplary military personnel, and support the reserves to re-visit Korea.

 

The MND official said, “KODVA is expected to expand civil-level exchange between both countries’ people with the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) and be a strong foundation for a strong alliance in the future.”

 

 

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

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