Seoul: South Korea and the United States have bolstered their defense collaboration by signing a new joint wartime operations plan (OPLAN) last year to address the mounting military threats from North Korea, as revealed by the commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Gen. Xavier Brunson, who also leads the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) and U.N. Command (UNC), detailed in a statement to the House Armed Services Committee that the new OPLAN is a key component in enhancing the allies' combat readiness. This development comes amidst increasing threats from North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile advancements. Brunson emphasized the importance of this plan, known as "OPLAN 5022," which reportedly succeeds the previous OPLAN 5015 that primarily focused on conventional threats.
Brunson highlighted the continuous efforts by alliance planners over several years to develop and test the new plan through regular South Korea-U.S. exercises, specifically Freedom Shield and Ulchi Freedom Shield. These exercises are essential for validating the plan's concepts and ensuring operational readiness.
The formulation of the new OPLAN was prompted by North Korea's advanced weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile capabilities, which necessitated an updated strategy to better prepare the CFC for potential conflicts. Brunson stated that the plan would be continuously refined through exercises and operations, activities, and investments (OAI).
In December 2021, the Strategic Planning Guidance (SPG) was approved by the defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S., paving the way for the new OPLAN. This guidance aimed to address the advancements in North Korea's weapons programs, including nuclear arms, hypersonic missiles, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which were not covered under the previous 2010 guidance.
During the House committee hearing, Brunson addressed concerns about the positioning of U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula, amidst discussions on potential troop realignment. He emphasized the strategic importance of their current positioning within the Korean Theater of Operations (KTO).
In his statement, Brunson reaffirmed the U.S.'s steadfast commitment to South Korea, acknowledging the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs to the U.S. and its allies. He also noted the growing military alignment between Russia and North Korea, which could further enhance Pyongyang's WMD capabilities.
Brunson also highlighted the potential for South Korea to play a significant role in the U.S. military's maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations, given its investments in U.S. defense technologies. Additionally, he underscored the importance of the U.N. Command in regional security and the need for continued partnerships with its 18 member nations.
The commander concluded by stressing the mutual defense treaty with South Korea as a crucial element for regional stability, capable of addressing broader regional threats beyond North Korea.