Page 53 - 2020 Defence White Paper

to develop military forces to meet these objectives.

Objective In consideration of sudden changes in the security environment,
the ROK Armed Forces must prepare for North Korean threats
simultaneously, potential threats, and nonmilitary threats. The objective of the Chapter 2
military strategy is to deter provocations and aggression from external forces and, if
deterrence fails, achieve victory in the early phase "with the least damage within the
shortest time".

Concept The concept of the ROK Armed Forces’ military strategy is to
flexibly respond to changes in the security environment and
omnidirectional security threats while acquiring the capabilities to deter and respond
dominantly to omnidirectional threats based on the ironclad ROK–US alliance.
When it comes to the North Korean threats, ROK Armed Forces will establish and
implement a strategy for arms control capable of establishing a peace regime in
the long term and reduce the likelihood of outbreak of war by reducing the threats
posed by North Korea. Demonstrating strong deterrence based on the robust ROK–
US alliance and possessing the capabilities and posture to achieve complete victory
during contingencies are also part of the military strategy. Through these actions, the
ROK Armed Forces will deter North Korea’s provocations and aggressions, prevent
accidental military collisions, and manage situations to be stable with both rapid
responses and de-escalation measures in case of a provocation. In case deterrence
fails, the concept is to terminate the war in the early phase "with the least damage

within the shortest time".
The military strategy includes working closely with the neighboring countries
during peacetime to shape a favorable strategic environment and preventing conflict
with neighboring countries by enhancing the ROK’s deterrence capabilities. The
ROK Armed Forces will also preemptively prepare and actively respond against
cyber-threats by establishing comprehensive response strategies. When it comes
to nonmilitary threats, the military strategy is to prevent such threats by ensuring
military readiness to protect ROK citizens at home and abroad as well as establishing
an information sharing and joint response system with inter-agencies. In case of an
actual threat, the goal is to restore stability promptly on with a rapid response.

Direction of Military Force The objective for military force development
Development of the ROK Armed Forces is to build a military
power capable of responding flexibly to omnidi-

Chapter 2. National Security Strategy and Defense Policy 51