Page 64 - 2020 Defence White Paper

Section

1 Establishing a Robust
Defense Posture

The ROK Armed Forces maintains a combined defense posture based on the robust
ROK–US alliance that is capable of countering local and full scale war provocations from
North Korea. For effective crisis management, the ROK Armed Forces has established
surveillance and early warning posture, enhanced its crisis management system, and
maintains readiness posture against provocations such as infiltrations, provocations and
terrorism on land, at sea, and in the air, and cyber-attacks. Furthermore, in preparation
against a full scare war provocation by North Korea, the ROK Armed Forces is enhancing
wartime operational capabilities and strengthening the ROK–US combined defense
posture while acquiring and maintaining the necessary forces, equipment, and supplies
to expand their war sustainability.

1. Military Organization and Forces

Organization of the Joint The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) commands and
Chiefs of Staff supervises the combat operation units of the
Army, Navy, and Air Force, and conducts joint
and combined operations by commanding and supervising joint units. The JCS also
carries out civilian-government-military-police integrated defense operations and

tasks associated with martial law. The JCS was set up and operated within the MND
as a non-permanent organization until it was officially established in 1963 under its
current name. It consists of the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, five offices, and four
1)
chief directorates. The organization of the JCS is shown in [Chart 3-1].

[Chart 3-1] Key Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Chairman of the JCS
ROK Armed
Forces Combat Readiness
promotional video Inspection Office
Vice Chairman
of the JCS
1)
Combined Chiefs of Staff Chief Secretary’s Office Office of the Staff Judge Public Affairs Office Analysis and
Council in 1948, Joint Advocate Experimentation Office
Chiefs of Staff Council
in 1954, and Combined
Chiefs of Staff Bureau in Chief Directorate of Chief Directorate of Chief Directorate of Chief Directorate of
1961. Intelligence Operations Military Support Strategic Planning

62 2020 Defense White Paper