Seoul, Washington agree on new N. Korea plans

By Jung Sung-ki

South Korea and the United States agreed to develop new joint operational plans to cope with a wide range of threats posed by North Korea, as well as potential instability there, officials at the Ministry of National Defense said Sunday.

The operational plan (OPNAL) 5015, which will replace the current 5027 plan, will include strengthened measures to thwart North Korea’s irregular and asymmetrical warfare capabilities, they said. OPLAN 5027 focuses on defense plans in the case of full-scale war.

Both governments will also develop a plan to handle unusual situations in the North, including a regime collapse and mass influx of refugees. The move comes amid an apparent third generation father-to-son power transfer there and the concern that North Korea may turn to provocation after its ailing leader taps his youngest son, Jong-un, as his successor.

At the 42nd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Washington, D.C. Oct. 8, against that backdrop, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young and his U.S. counterpart Robert Gates signed the Strategic Planning Guidance for the development of operational planning.

“The secretary and the minister confirmed that this strategic planning was a useful measure in deterring a wide range of threats against the Republic of Korea and establishing military preparation plans,” the joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting stated.

“The secretary and the minister noted that the two militaries have made substantial progress in the development of military plans related to a range of situations on the Korean Peninsula and that this document is to further ensure an effective alliance response to a potential crisis,” it said.

Gates underscored U.S. commitment to the security of South Korea, reaffirming the provision of an “extended deterrence” capability.

“Secretary Gates reaffirmed the continued U.S. commitment to provide and strengthen extended deterrence for the ROK, using the full range of military capabilities, to include the U.S. nuclear umbrella, conventional strike, and missile defense capabilities,” the joint communiqué said.

The two defense chiefs agreed to “institutionalize an Extended Deterrence Policy Committee,” which will serve as a cooperation mechanism to enhance the effectiveness of this extended deterrence, it added. They also signed the Guidelines for U.S.-ROK Cooperation, which address plans to develop joint defense measures, including the transition of wartime operational control in 2015.

North Korean aggression and provocation will not be tolerated, and the United States and South Korea will work shoulder to shoulder to demonstrate their combined resolve, it said, adding Pyongyang will not be recognized as a nuclear weapon state.

At a joint press conference in the Pentagon held after the SCM, Gates said, “Our commitment to South Korea's security is steadfast, and our military alliance has never been stronger. North Korea's nuclear and conventional weapons threat continues to be the focal point of our alliance's deterrent and defense posture. We are committed to providing extended deterrence.”

He continued, "In the wake of the Cheonan incident, the close cooperation across the whole of our two governments sends a clear message to North Korea that its provocation and aggression will not be tolerated.”

A Seoul-led multinational team of investigators determined in May that the frigate Cheonan was sunk in March by a torpedo fired from a North Korean submarine. The incident killed 46 sailors.

North Korea has denied any involvement.

The U.S. defense secretary also anticipated Kim Jong-un will succeed his father.

“That’s the assumption that we’re all working on. That (the son) will in fact at some point take on that leadership role,” he said, adding, however, he was not aware of any formal indication that power will be transferred to the son.