Military Exercises in Korea: A Provocation or a Deterrent to War?
Abstract
The 53-year alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been a deterrent to the Stalinist North Korean state along the most heavily militarized zone remaining of the Cold War era. For over 31 years, both U.S. and ROK military forces, under the mantle of the United Nations and the Combined Forces Command (CFC), have conducted a warfighting exercise called Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) to evaluate and improve joint and combined procedures, plans, and systems used in the event of conflict with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Although this is only one of several major joint exercises staged annually to deter or defend against an attack, North Korea insists that all exercises on the Korean Peninsula are gross violations of the half-century armistice. Moreover, she claims that the exercises are not defensive, but rather a preparation for a preemptive attack. As a part of the new global U.S. policy and South Korea's drive for self-reliance, the U.S. position towards Korea has changed. The role of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has changed from a supported to a supporting one. This paper evaluates the effects of major joint and combined military exercises as a means to deter North Korean aggression, and examines their value in light of current U.S. interests. The United States must recognize that the tension of the U.S.-ROK alliance, the anti-American sentiments in the ROK, and the provocative actions of North Korea are all related to the presence of USFK forces and the military exercises of the CFC. The U.S. military has the flexibility to exercise new initiatives and make quick operational changes while maintaining an effective deterrent to North Korean threats. Changes in military exercises could serve to send subtle signals to the leaders of the DPRK that the United States is willing to reduce military tension. Such acts may yield positive rewards beyond the operational level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 13, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA463339
Entities
People
- John S. Chu
Organizations
- Naval War College