Page 110 - 2018 Defense White Paper

the ROK-led theater-level combined exercise execution/performance capabilities have been

improving with the ROK JCS taking the lead in planning, operation of opposing forces, and
after-action review in the 2017 and 2018 KR exercises.
The FE training is an ROK–U.S. combined field training conducted to cultivate operational

capabilities to defend rear areas. Since 2002, the FE training was conducted together with the
combined wartime augmentation exercise called the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement
and Integration (RSOI) exercise 47) to improve the eff iciency of the training and enhance combat

power. As the RSOI exercise was renamed as the KR exercise in 2008, the combination of the
RSOI and FE exercises is conducted under the new title of KR/FE exercise.
The Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise is an ROK–U.S. combined theater-level

command post exercise aimed at enhancing the independent response capabilities of the ROK
Armed Forces and the ROK–U.S. combined response capabilities. The UFG exercise also
intends to enhance the warf ighting capabilities of the ROK–U.S. combined forces in the event
of a full-scale war as well as improve proficiency with the warfighting system involving the

government.
In 2018, the Taegeuk Exercise conducted solely by the ROK Armed Forces replaced the

UFG exercise considering the security situation. In 2019, combined exercises to prepare for
wartime OPCON transition will be conducted with consultations between the ROK and the
United States to improve the ROK Armed Forces’ operational capabilities and its ability to lead
combined exercises.

Since 2018, the ROK Armed Forces has implemented the Joint Training System (JTS)—a
theater-level exercise and training system—in the headquarters of each service, operations
commands, and joint units 48) to establish systematic exercise and training management systems.

In addition, various types of war-game models for joint and combined exercises have been
developed and used to continuously enhance the ROK Armed Forces’ capabilities to lead
combined exercises and develop effective ways to conduct combined exercise and training.

Following the Conditions-Based OPCON Transition Plan, the ROK and the United States are
striving to establish a new combined exercise foundation system incorporated with the future

47) Launched in 1994 to replace the Team Spirit training
48) The JTS was introduced to the JCS in 2012, the Operations Command in 2017, and the headquarters of each
service branch and joint units in 2018.

108 Chapter 3 Establishing a Robust Defense Posture against Omnidirectional Security Threats