 About 350 South Korean troops have been stationed in Lebanon since 2007 for peacekeeping operations with the U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). UNIFIL’s missions include overseeing the border area with Israel in the southern region of Lebanon and ensuring the stability of the central Lebanese government. The Korean contingent conducts community outreach activities, including reconstruction of schools and public facilities and medical and educational programs, as well as patrol and security- related missions. / Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense |
By Lee Sang-heeeDefense Minister
The Lee Myung-bak administration, which set sail in February 2008, seeks to develop Korea into ``a Country that Stands Tall in the World Through Advancement.'' It is committed to realizing a ``Global Korea'' that fulfills its roles and responsibilities in the international community.
In accordance with this national vision, the administration's basic principle in national security strategy is to create ``an advanced security posture that reaches out to the world,'' expanding the scope of our security beyond the Korean Peninsula to encompass the world.
The President has emphasized that ``the Korean military must become a force that the people of the world want to emulate in their hearts'' by contributing to world peace. The principle also implies acquiring future-oriented security capabilities. This will be achieved with qualitative improvements to Korea's defense capabilities through defense reforms, and improvements to the management of national defense based on creative pragmatism.
I have proposed ``the development of advanced and strong armed forces'' as a new vision for national defense, equipping the military with the infrastructure, system and capabilities necessary to tackle all threats across the spectrum.
Over the past year, the military has maintained solid defense posture, deterring North Korean provocations and providing support for government policies to build the foundation and momentum required to seek an advanced security posture that reaches out to the world.
However, this year's security climate is very dynamic. Of particular concern is the fact that the world is going through an unprecedented economic crisis and that this can lead to an increase in instability in the security situation.
It is also important to note that North Korea is intentionally creating tension while declining repeated offers from South Korea to engage in dialogue.
In January, North Korea's General Staff declared an ``all-out confrontation,'' and the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland has also announced the ``annulment of political and military agreements made between the North and the South.''
Our military must actively handle the changes in the security situation, even as it upgrades its defense posture by taking advantage of challenges as opportunities.
This year's defense policy will focus on managing the security situation on the Peninsula in a stable manner, developing the ROK-U.S. Alliance, expanding military cooperation with neighboring states and increasing Korea's contributions toward world peace.
First, stable management of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula is of the highest priority in Korea's defense policy.
As many are aware, Korea is in a very unique security situation. Although the Cold War is over, a military confrontation still continues between the South and the North.
North Korea is maintaining a vast conventional military force while continuing its efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. In particular, recent actions taken by the North to launch a Taepodong-II missile have caused serious concerns worldwide.
Therefore, to manage North Korea's military threat in a stable manner is to contribute to regional stability and world peace. For this, our military is maintaining a solid ROK-U.S. combined defense posture to deter North Korean provocations, while providing military support for the government's North Korea policy of co-existence and co-prosperity by providing security for exchange and cooperation projects undertaken by the North and the South.
Second, the ROK-U.S. Alliance, the backbone of our security, is being developed in a future-oriented manner.
Over the past half-century, the ROK-U.S. Alliance has played a pivotal role in deterring war and bringing forth an economic miracle on the Korean Peninsula. Now, at the outset of the 21st century, it's time for our alliance to enter its next phase.
In April 2008, the Presidents of Korea and the United States agreed to develop the alliance into a ``21st Century Strategic Alliance.'' Such an alliance will be a comprehensive one that will go beyond simply protecting the Korean Peninsula to contribute to peace in Northeast Asia and the world.
Cooperation in this form of alliance will be more comprehensive in scope, to include not only military but political, economic, social and cultural collaboration as well.
Based on this agreement by our two heads of state, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and I have also agreed to develop this vision for our strategic alliance during the ROK-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in October 2008.
In addition, the two nations are building trust as they make active use of a number of coordinating bodies in order to manage alliance issues, such as the transfer of wartime operational control and USFK base relocation projects, in a constructive manner.
The ROK-U.S. alliance will evolve to become more powerful and dynamic than ever, based on common values and steadfast trust.
Third, cooperative military relations with neighboring nations are being expanded for shaping security environments in favor of peace and stability both on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.
The Lee Myung-bak administration is building a strategic cooperative framework, vital to stability on the Korean Peninsula and peace in Northeast Asia.
The administration has raised its relations with Japan to a ``mature, future-oriented partnership,'' and those with China and Russia to ``strategic, cooperative partnerships.''
Along these lines, Korea's military will also increase its exchange and cooperation with our neighbors' armed forces. Such initiatives include the establishment of direct military communication networks with Japan, China and Russia, combined search and rescue exercises (SAREX) and mutual port calls by naval vessels.
Through an array of coordinating bodies, including defense minister talks and defense policy working group conferences, the Korean military is making an effort to build mutual trust and develop the foundation for a regional system of peace and security.
Fourth, our military will increase its participation in peacekeeping operations to lead the way toward a ``Mature & Global Korea.''
The Korean War gave Korea the precious experience of overcoming a national crisis with the help and support of the international community. Now that Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world, it's time for us to return the favor.
Beginning with the engineer battalion sent to join the peacekeeping efforts in Somalia in 1993, Korea has sent approximately 30,000 personnel over the years to engage in international peacekeeping operations (PKOs).
The Zaytun unit successfully completed its mission of peace and reconstruction in Iraq in 2008, and the Dongmyeong unit is part of the stabilization effort in Lebanon.
In an effort to further increase its PKO participation in the future, Korea will create a permanent PKO unit and develop relevant legislations and systems.
The Korean military is also working with the international community to address common security threats facing the world, such as piracy and international disasters, and building a coordinating body against such threats.
In the wake of the Sichuan earthquake and the cyclone in Myanmar last year, Korea did not spare any effort in providing active assistance and relief to the disaster-struck areas.
To partake in the international response to piracy, Korea will deploy a naval vessel to Somalia in March and continue to act as a responsible member of the world as it increases its level of practical contributions toward world peace.
As the only divided nation in the world, the Republic of Korea has deterred war on the Korean Peninsula and has managed unstable situations successfully.
Korea will work hard to be a catalyst for peace and prosperity in the world through stable management of the Korean Peninsula. I ask for your continued interest in, and support for, the security of the Republic of Korea.
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter Minister of National Defense Lee Sang-hee is well known for his straightforwardness and vision in building more disciplined and stronger armed forces. A former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Lee, 64, has pushed for ``reshaping’’ the country’s military to one suitable for the 21st century security environment by developing the Defense Reform 2020 initiative, a 15-year military modernization program unveiled in 2005. A long-time advocate of a stronger Korea-U.S. alliance, Lee also places top priority on maintaining solid combined deterrence capabilities against the lingering threat posed by North Korea’s 1.1-million-strong army armed with asymmetrical weapons systems. Born in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Lee served at key posts in field operations and policy planning in the Army, JCS and presidential office before taking office in February last year as the first defense chief of the Lee Myung-bak administration. A graduate of Korea Military Academy in 1970, Lee served as presidential advisor for defense affairs, chief of the force planning bureau at the Army headquarters, and commanding general of the 30th Infantry Division. He has also served as director general of the Ministry of National Defense’s policy planning bureau, commanding general of the 5th Army Corps, chief director of JCS’s strategy and plans bureau and chief director of JCS’s joint operations headquarters. Lee was promoted to full-star general status and assumed command of the 3rd Army in 2003. In 2005, he was appointed as the 32nd JCS chairman and served until his retirement from the military in 2006. He served as a non-resident visiting fellow at the Brookings Institute in the United States in 2007 and is married with a son and a daughter. gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr |
• Maintaining a solid defense posture against North Korea, on the basis of defense reforms and a stronger alliance with the U.S. military. • Developing the Korea-U.S. alliance into a comprehensive, future-oriented one that goes beyond security on the Korean Peninsula to contributing to peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the world. • Expanding military ties with neighboring nations, such as China, Japan and Russia, to help lay the groundwork for establishing a regional peace and security mechanism. • Increasing participation in global peacekeeping operations. |
