The Future of the United Nations Command in Republic of Korea
Abstract
The United Nations Command derives its legitimacy from the 1950 United Nations resolutions through which it was activated in 1953 during the Korean War. Its original purpose was to provide a command structure for multinational United Nations operations against the illegal communist invasion. The Armistice Agreement, signed in 1953 by the Commander in Chief of the United Nations Command, stopped the armed conflict and has provided a way to manage the crisis effectively for over 50 years. North Korea realized that the United Nations Command prevents reunification by force and imposes a heavy burden politically and militarily on the North. Therefore, North Korea has tried repeatedly to weaken and dissolve the United Nations Command and has suggested replacing the Armistice Agreement with a bilateral U.S.-North Korea Peace Agreement. However, the United Nations Command provides an effective mechanism for multinational operations. It is a valuable instrument not only for the current political situation, but also for the future security of North-East Asia. Until the conclusion of a stable peace agreement, the United Nations Command will continue to be essential to the United States and the Republic of Korea. (3 tables, 2 figures, 50 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 19, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA424067
Entities
People
- Won-il Jung
Organizations
- United States Army War College