한국 국방정책의 도전과 선택 = Defense Policy of South Korea: Challenges, Constraints, and Options

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

South Korea is faced with a multi-faceted security environment: North Korea and its nuclear program, challenges of the future war including terrorism), and uncertainties of East Asian ecurity, coupled with U.S. nilateralism. The public opinion calls for a more equal partnership in the ROK-U.S. alliance, while retaining the perception of ROK-U.S.
alliance as the backbone of national security. The national security dependence is the product of U.S.
military hegemony. The military exploit President Roh’s declaration of self-reliant national defense as an opportunity for arms build-ups, maintaining its manpower-heavy force structure and a close tie with the United States. However, the self-reliant national defense should include independent policy planning, wartime operational control of the ROK armed forces, balanced force structure, and, more importantly, consciousness of military sovereignty. Defense policy measures should be based on the principles of reasonable sufficiency and joint security between the two Koreas.