Friction Over Military Plan Between South Korea and the U.S.

The Korean National Security Council (NSC) said on April 15 that it put a stop to an operational plan, named OPLAN 5029, of the Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC). The plan included military action in case of sudden changes in North Korea.

“Late last year the NSC received a report that the CFC was preparing OPLAN 5029, and after consultation with concerned ministries, the NAC decided to put a stop to the plan and directed the Ministry of Defense to nullify the plan,” according to briefing materials provided by the NSC. The council explained that it concluded that the operational plan included content that could seriously harm the exercise of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Korea.

The U.S. Forces in Korea is still pursuing its previous position that preparatory military measures are necessary in case of sudden changes in North Korea that might lead to a security crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

It has been reported that OPLAN 5029 laid out the CFC’s military response measures by stages in case of sudden changes in North Korea, such as internal turmoil, regime collapse and massive defections.

Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com