This paper analyzes how the South Korea defense policy has been pursued in the year 2012 and which defense policies in 2013 are being considered and implemented. South Korea faced many security challenges and threats from North Korea and other regiona...
This paper analyzes how the South Korea defense policy has been pursued in the year 2012 and which defense policies in 2013 are being considered and implemented. South Korea faced many security challenges and threats from North Korea and other regional countries in 2012. North Korea established its 3rd generation succession of Kim Jung Un regime and made serious provocations including long-range missile launch. Japan and China showed more assertive maritime policy which greatly threatened our interests. On the other hand, the alliance with the U.S. has been better than ever before so that it led to successfully deterring North Korean threat and led the revision of missile guidelines. Defense Reform 2012-2030 did not get any momentum because it failed to be enacted. The case of North Korean soldier's defection demanded that the border guard and reporting systems of the military should be fixed.
South Korea in 2013 needs to take more flexible and effective policies towards the new emerging threats and challenges which come from the uncertainty of North Korean regime and the change of political power in neighbouring countries. This paper emphasizes eight major defense policies which should be adopted; robust defense posture to manage North Korean threat and development of crisis management system. strengthening defense capabilities to counter regional and international security threats, the review and adjustment of defense reform plan, advancement of alliance issues including OPCON transfer and development of alliance vision, relief of military tension with the North, expansion of military cooperation with regional countries, enhancement of international military roles and contributions, improvement of people's trust to national defense, and strengthening communication with the people.