USFK After the Reunification
Abstract
This monograph assesses the need for an operational endstate for US Forces Korea (USFK) after Korean reunification. The monograph considers the US operations in Korea to be a campaign at the operational level of war. According to US doctrine for campaign planning, an endstate is a required element of a successful campaign. currently however, it appears there is no planned post-reunification endstate for USFK. Without a well developed endstate, reactionary decisions to withdraw or maintain USFK forces could jeopardize US strategic success in the region. This monograph examines the necessity to resolve this endstate problem and provides possible solutions to fill the void. The monograph first describes the US involvement in Korea and strategic and operational goals in the East Asia and pacific region. Next, campaign planning is discussed to illuminate the problem of operational endstate in Korea and its likely effect. In the following section, the considerations for determining an endstate for USFK are examined. The primary considerations include the security concerns and needs of regional powers, as well as, US public policy and domestic politics. Finally, the monograph evaluates several options for USFK after reunification to demonstrate the difficulty of developing operational endstate and the need to derive this required element early in the campaign.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331309
Entities
People
- James L. Miller
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College