Page 81 - 2020 Defence White Paper

have been operating the Counter-
Proliferation Working Group (CPWG),
an annual director general-level con-
sultative body with participation from
the relevant agencies of both coun-
tries, to block the spread of WMD and
develop joint response capabilities. The
group was renamed as the Countering ROK–US CWMDC (October 2019) Chapter 3
Weapons of Mass Destruction Com-
mittee (CWMDC) in 2017, and their policy consultations have been strengthened
since. In the CWMDC meeting held in October 2019, the two countries discussed
various policies and military measures on removing the North Korean WMD threat
and preventing the spread of North Korean WMD and developing ROK–US joint
response capabilities, and agreed to continue strengthening cooperation between the
ROK and the US.
Moreover, the ROK and the US have been conducting Able Response (AR), a
ROK–US bio-defense exercise since 2011 to improve combined response capabilities
against bio-threats, and Adaptive Shield, a ROK–US CBRN exercise which include
all areas of CBRN since 2017.
With the participation of relevant agencies from both countries, Adaptive Shield
overhauls the crisis response system against possible CBRN crisis on the Peninsula,
holds discussions on joint response options to enhance nation-wide response
capabilities, and examines cooperation and response system between relevant

agencies in preparation for large-scale damages.
Furthermore, the ROK is a state party to both the Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and the ROK Armed Forces
carries out various activities to implement these conventions. Korea Arms Control
Verification Agency, in particular, performs as the national escort body during the
periodical inspection by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW) that verifies the state parties’ implementation of the CWC thereby enhancing
the credibility and transparency of observing and implementing international
conventions. Meanwhile, since 2005, the ROK CBRN Defense Command has been
annually conducting the OPCW’s international anti-chemical weapons training course
for Asian state parties including the Philippines, India, and Bangladesh.
The ROK Armed Forces will continue to strengthen coordination between the
ROK and the US while expanding cooperation with international organizations
including the United Nations and OPCW.

Chapter 3. Safeguarding Peace by Establishing a Robust Defense Posture Against Omnidirectional Security Threats 79