Countering North Korean Special Purpose Forces

Abstract

As United States and Republic of Korea forces stand to defend against a DPRK attack, one of the most formidable tasks is how to counter a second front in the Joint Rear Security Area of the Republic of Korea. North Korea has a robust and diverse special operations force capability, their Special Purpose Forces. With nearly 104,000 soldiers committed to these daring tactics and operations, the United States and the Republic of Korea must be vigilant and innovative to protect their forces from such attacks. The principal mission of the North Korean Special Purpose Forces is to infiltrate into the enemies rear area and conduct short duration raids. Their most dangerous avenue of approach for their forces includes amphibious approaches, airborne infiltration and the use of a vast tunnel network. How would the North carry out such an attack against such formidable foes? Will they use special operations type forces to disrupt the South in their rear areas? How would they move their forces into South Korea? What solutions does the United States and the Republic of Korea have to solve this problem and which one is the best? This analysis examines the various methods the United States and the Republic of Korea will use to counter the North Korean Special Purpose Forces today and in the future.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA397273

Entities

People

  • Troy P. Krause

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Airframes
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Antisubmarine Warfare
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Geography
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Navy
  • Special Operations Forces
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • International Relations, focusing on Korea-Africa and North Korea-South Korea relations, and Nigeria-Latin American Relations.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.