Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Identifies the serious threats posed by North Korea and emphasizes the need to enhance military capability and respond strongly to any provocations from North Korea

 

Contains changes in non-conventional security situations, as well as military and strategic trends specific to the Indo-Pacific region

Outlines four significant defense strategic objectives for the mid- and long-term, and provides a detailed account of the enhancement of "ROK 3K Defense" capabilities

Introduces the direction of Defense Innovation 4.0, which includes the development of an AI-based manned-unmanned complex combat system, and the formulation of a defense space strategy, among other initiatives

Highlights the importance of the United States' implementation of extended deterrence and emphasizes the need for a systematic and stable approach to the transfer of wartime operational control

Outlines efforts to improve the military's medical system, enhance safety management capabilities, and promote communication and co-prosperity with the public

Provides details about plans to enhance the service environment for military personnel, improve personnel welfare and compensation, and upgrade the names of military units

 

The Ministry of National Defense released the 2022 Defense White Paper on February 16, which is the first defense policy white paper issued under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The report covers the direction of a newly established defense policy since the government's inauguration, as well as the status and accomplishments of national defense.

 

The white paper is organized into seven chapters, which cover various topics including the security environment, national security strategy and defense strategy, building a robust defense posture and improving response capabilities, developing advanced science and technology-based military through Defense Innovation 4.0, significant growth of the ROK-US Alliance and strengthening defense cooperation, defense operations prioritizing safety, transparency, and military-civilian co-prosperity, and promoting a defense culture that resonates with younger generations.

 

The reference materials of the 2022 Defense White Paper consist of a Special Supplement and a General Supplement. They provide information on various topics, including the history and future of the ROK-US Alliance, the ROK's military peacekeeping activities, defense export achievements, and the development of military weapons and technology. Additionally, the progress of the USFK relocation project is also covered in the reference materials.

 

The 2022 Defense White Paper provides specific details to acknowledge and address the severity of threats posed by North Korea, emphasizing that the North Korean regime and its army are considered enemies. It highlights the importance of enhancing military capabilities, preparedness, and readiness to effectively respond to provocations and establish sustainable peace through the "peace by force" framework.

 

The Defense White Paper for 2022 accurately reflects the defense sector's efforts to implement the government's policy objectives such as "global pivotal state," "Indo-Pacific strategy," and "strengthening the ROK-US Alliance." Additionally, it outlines the achievements and future direction of the new defense policy established since the new government's inauguration, which includes the development of a technologically advanced military through Defense Innovation 4.0, improving morale, and enhancing the welfare and compensation of military personnel.

 

P1. The 2022 Defense White Paper includes information on the types and capabilities of North Korean missiles, including those marked in red squares. Provided by the Ministry of National Defense

<Security environment>

 

In this chapter, the 2022 Defense White Paper expands the scope of target areas to evaluate the regional security situation, moving beyond the traditional Northeast Asia to include the Indo-Pacific region. The chapter also provides a detailed evaluation of the North Korean situation and military threats.

 

The section on global security situation discusses the intricate shifts occurring in the security landscape, including the mounting uncertainties regarding international security amid the deepening rivalry between the US and China, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the emergence of non-traditional security threats like infectious diseases, climate change, and terrorism. Additionally, this chapter discusses the strategic approaches and military trends of countries in the Indo-Pacific region that are gaining strategic significance.

 

The chapter also provides information on North Korea's domestic and foreign policies, as well as its policies towards South Korea, and the military structure and strength of North Korea. It specifically addresses North Korea's nuclear capability, types and capabilities of missiles, and repeated violations of the Sept. 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement.

 

 

<National security strategy and defense strategy>

 

The chapter on national security strategy and defense strategy provides an overview of the national security and defense strategies of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

 

This chapter outlines four mid- and long-term strategic goals, namely integrated and proactive defense, innovation and self-reinforcement, alliance and solidarity, and safety and co-prosperity. Integrated and proactive defense refers to the establishment of a defense posture that enables an integrated and proactive response to complicated security threats. Innovation and self-reinforcement involve the cultivation of an advanced strong military based on science and technology to secure asymmetric advantages through selection and concentration. Alliance and solidarity aim to expand and reinforce global defense cooperation by evolving the ROK-US Alliance into a global comprehensive strategic alliance. Safety and co-prosperity aim to realize a defense policy operation that prioritizes people’s security, trust, and co-prosperity between the military and civilians.

 

In this chapter, the emphasis is on the achievement of the short-term defense policy objective of having a "strong defense" and an advanced military based on science and technology. The document highlights North Korea's hostile stance towards South Korea, including the designation of the South as an enemy, continued nuclear development, and military threats and provocations. The North Korean regime and military are explicitly described as the enemy due to these actions. An official from the defense ministry has stated that this is not merely a change in wording, but that the reasons for the description have been included.

 

P2 :

 

<Building a robust defense posture and improving response capabilities>

 

The chapter on establishing a comprehensive defense posture and enhancing response capabilities outlines the military's endeavors to create a strong defense system in response to security challenges from the North. The initiatives include the development of the ROK 3K Defense program to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities, the establishment of an integrated defense posture, and training that emphasizes combat missions and spiritual combat power.

 

The chapter details the efforts of the military to build a strong defense system to counter North Korea's security threats. The chapter covers five pages and includes information on the capabilities of the ROK 3K Defense system across sectors, as well as the direction for building a defense posture. The ROK 3K Defense system consists of various components such as the "kill chain," which aims to destroy North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles before they can be launched, the "Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD)," which detects and intercepts airborne missiles, and the "Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR)," which aims to respond with overwhelming strategic strike capabilities to North Korea's use of nuclear weapons and WMD. In contrast, the 2020 Defense White Paper provided only a half-page introduction to a system designed to counter North Korea's nuclear weapons and WMD.

 

This chapter highlights the military's initiatives to maintain a high state of readiness, including the expansion of combined ROK/US training exercises, enhancing their ability to sustain combat operations, and restoring the Ministry of National Defense's warfighting system. Additionally, it covers the military's efforts to develop a comprehensive defense posture through multilateral initiatives, such as creating an integrated defense system involving the civilian, government, military, police, and fire prevention sectors, establishing scientific training systems, improving school training systems, and enhancing soldiers' spiritual strength.

 

Focus and tasks of Defense Innovation 4.0 implementation

 

<Developing advanced science and technology-based military through Defense Innovation 4.0>

 

This chapter outlines the implementation direction of Defense Innovation 4.0, which aims to develop a competitive military by fundamentally innovating the military structure and organization.

 

The chapter emphasizes the need to transition from a troop-centered manned system to an AI-based manned-unmanned complex combat system, and highlights the importance of AI and digital transformation, developing a defense space strategy based on jointness, and cultivating the defense industry as a state strategic industry in all areas of defense.

 

This chapter discusses the establishment of a Defense AI center that will consolidate AI-related tasks across various military services, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and defense research institutions. Additionally, the chapter mentions plans to release a "Defense Space Strategy Paper" in 2023 to outline the objectives of the jointness-based defense space policy and strategy for the future.

 

P4. The Defense White Paper of 2022 provides a thorough account of the implementation of extended deterrence, which was agreed upon by the ROK and the US. It also mentions the intensified deployment of US strategic assets. An image is included in the paper, depicting a joint air operation training exercise involving ROKAF F-35A fighters, USAF B-1B strategic bombers, and F-22 fighters over the West Sea on February 1. Provided by the Ministry of National Defense

 

 

<Significant growth of the ROK-US Alliance and strengthening defense cooperation>

 

This chapter is centered around the improvement of the ROK-US military alliance, which has now become a comprehensive strategic alliance on a global level. The chapter also covers the expansion of defense exchange and cooperation, as well as the progress made and future plans for international peacekeeping initiatives.

 

This chapter focuses on the improvement of the ROK-US Alliance by expanding cooperation globally, including in new and emerging areas such as space and cyber security. It also contains efforts to strengthen policy collaboration between defense authorities and promote security cooperation between Korea, the United States, and Japan. The chapter further describes the Ministry of National Defense's initiatives to improve the execution of US extended deterrence against North Korea's escalating nuclear and missile threats. It also includes plans to develop a tailored deterrence strategy with the US and strengthen the Alliance's missile response posture.

 

This chapter also covers the Ministry of National Defense's efforts to establish a secure combined defense posture and implement the transition of condition-based wartime operational control in a systematic and stable manner. The chapter describes three specific conditions that need to be met for the transition to take place: the military capability needed to lead combined defense, the Alliance's comprehensive ability to counter the North's nuclear and missile threats, and the presence of a security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the surrounding region that supports a stable transition of wartime operational control.

 

In addition, the chapter discusses the relationship between Korea and Japan in light of the need for security cooperation between Korea, the United States, and Japan, while also emphasizing the importance of adhering to government policies and maintaining a fundamental and unwavering stance on unresolved issues such as historical conflicts and territorial disputes over Dokdo Island.

 

The chapter also outlines defense exchange and cooperation with partner countries in various regions, including Southeast Asia, Oceania, Southwest Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, as well as with neighboring countries like China and Russia.

 

<Defense operations prioritizing safety, transparency, and military-civilian co-prosperity>

 

The primary focus of this chapter is to promote military service conditions that are safe, transparent, and efficient, as well as defense operations that foster mutual prosperity with the public.

 

To promote safe military service conditions, the military has developed a medical system that is tailored to the unique characteristics of military service. This includes the establishment of an Armed Forces Trauma Center, the expansion of remote medical services, and support for retired soldiers who require ongoing medical treatment. Additionally, the military is working to enhance its safety management capabilities across all operations.

 

The chapter also covers measures aimed at enhancing the public's trust in the military and responding proactively to changes in the defense environment. These measures include the adoption of advanced technology for logistics support, a more open and communicative approach to defense operations, revisions to defense regulations to better serve the public, improvements to conscription administration, and more effective management of personnel and talent.

 

Additionally, the chapter discusses the commitment of defense operations to co-prosperity with the public through various means, such as communication with communities, eco-friendly military operations, and the cultivation of soldiers' future-oriented capabilities.

 

<Promoting a defense culture that resonates with younger generations>

 

This final chapter details the enhancements made to soldiers' food, clothing, and living quarters, improvements in compensation and service environments, and the expansion of human rights protection within the military.

 

The chapter also lists the achievements in enhancing the living conditions of soldiers to meet public expectations, such as upgrading the food system and improving the quality of clothing and combat gear. Additionally, it covers the construction of barracks buildings to provide soldiers with independent residential space, and outlines future tasks to further improve these living conditions.

 

This chapter discusses methods to enhance the treatment and compensation of soldiers, both conscripted and career soldiers, in recognition of their sacrifices. The focus is on improving state support to acknowledge their fulfillment of military service obligations and upgrading service conditions for career soldiers.

 

The chapter also outlines measures to enhance the protection of human rights through a just and dependable enforcement of military law, including the enhancement of systems that safeguard the rights of soldiers such as the establishment of a Military Human Rights Improvement Center under the Ministry of National Defense, the creation of a framework for preventing sexual violence and protecting victims, and the amendment of the Military Court Act.

 

<Others and special and general supplements>

 

The 2022 Defense White Paper outlines changes in the Army, including modifications in units and equipment, as well as fluctuations in troop numbers. The current troop count has reduced to 365,000, representing a decline of 55,000 compared to the 420,000 soldiers recorded in the 2020 Defense White Paper. The army now has a total of 36 divisions and 32 brigades. As part of these changes, the military created the 2nd Quick Response Division, the 23rd Security Brigade, and the 1st Mountain Brigade, while dissolving the 23rd Division, the 27th Division, the 6th Artillery Brigade, and the 6th Engineering Brigade.

 

In addition, in comparison to the previous defense white paper, the number of tanks increased by 70 to 2,200, the number of armored vehicles rose by 100 to 3,100, and the number of field artillery pieces decreased by 400 to 5,600. The Army, Navy, and Air Force now have a combined total of 700 helicopters. According to a defense ministry official, the decrease in field artillery pieces was due to an increase in new artillery guns and a decrease in older ones. The chapter also includes changes in the names of some military units, such as the Army Aviation Command being renamed as Aviation Command, the Missile Command being renamed as Missile Strategic Command, the Navy Air Group being renamed as Aviation Command, and the Air Force Air & Missile Defense Command being renamed as Missile Defense Command.

 

Also, the Special Supplement of the 2022 Defense White Paper highlights four key defense issues that are of particular interest to the public and require detailed explanations. These include the history, current status, and future of the ROK-US Alliance, the history and future of Korean military peacekeeping activities, the progress of the USFK relocation project, and the outcomes of defense exports and science and technology-based weapon development. The General Supplement provides 25 items that update existing data and add examples of North Korea's violations of the Sept. 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement.

 

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr > 

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