Page 186 - 2018 Defense White Paper
P. 186
[ Chart 5-3 ] Post-OPCON Transition Combined Command Structure (Draft)
Post-OPCON Transition Combined
Current Combined Command Structure
Command Structure (Draft)
ROK MND SCM U.S. DoS ROK MND SCM U.S. DoS
ROK JCS MCM U.S. JCS ROK JCS MCM U.S. JCS
U.S. CFC combined ROK ROK CFC combined U.S.
CDR staff DCDR CDR staff DCDR
Combined component commands Combined component commands
Designated ROK units Designated U.S. units Designated ROK units Designated U.S. units
The ROK and the U.S. plan to apply the new tentative structure to combined exercises
starting in 2019. After carrying out such combined exercises, the two countries will refine and
further enhance the structure to finalize it during wartime OPCON transition.
| Development of Strategic Documents | The ROK and the U.S. def ine the combined
command structure that covers the CFC commander’s duties and roles as well as the relationship
among ROK JCS, U.S. JCS, CFC, UNC, and USFK in strategic documents based on the
Mutual Defense Treaty.
At the 50 SCM held on October 31, 2018, the ROK Minister of National Defense and U.S.
th
Secretary of Defense agreed to maintain a structure similar to the current CFC structure after
wartime OPCON transition, have a ROK general serve as the CFC commander, maintain the
stationing of USFK, maintain the UNC, and continue the extended deterrence policy of the U.S..
This agreement helped form an environment conducive to an expedited OPCON transition. The
defense authorities of the ROK and the U.S. plan to develop new strategic documents based on the
agreement for the post-transition combined command structure led by the ROK Armed Forces. The
new strategic documents will specify the duties and roles of the ROK and U.S. defense and military
authorities as well as theater-level commands, and their command and cooperation relations. The
two countries will continue to refine and enhance them through combined certif ications planned
for 2019 under the objective to complete them before wartime OPCON transition.
184 Chapter 5 Development of the ROK–U.S. Alliance, and Expansion of Defense Exchanges and Cooperation
