South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to complete a combined operational plan against potential North Korean provocations and to deter North Korea’s nuclear development through a “tailored strategy.” South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta held the 43rd Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul on October 28 and issued a 15-point joint communiqué. In the statement, the two sides highly evaluated the development of the joint counter-provocation plan, which prepares for potential provocations by North Korea, and reaffirmed the need to develop military deterrence and strengthen defense posture. They also agreed to complete the joint operational plan within the year and to establish the “Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue” that would encompass various defense dialogue mechanisms between the two countries. Dr. Cha Du-hyeon at the Korea Foundation says the core of the agreement is to reconfirm the two allies’ solid determination to firmly respond to any aggressions or provocations from North Korea.


North Korea made two shocking provocations against South Korea in 2010. With the possibility of all-out war on the Korean Peninsula and additional North Korean provocations in mind, South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to bolster their defense posture and develop plans in preparation for various possible scenarios. Judging from the latest developments, there is a greater possibility that North Korea may launch a localized provocation in a bid to turn the situation around or exploit it for political purposes. The recent agreement between the defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. reflects their determination to assume a renewed posture of defense, which should be different from existing one.

Experts explain that the South Korea-U.S. joint operational plan contains notable strategies aimed at responding to North Korea’s local provocations effectively. The most significant part of the plan is that if North Korea launches a provocation, South Korea will initially respond with its own forces, while globally available U.S. forces can be deployed to augment the combined defense. The U.S. is reportedly working on a plan to mobilize its forces, including not only those stationed in South Korea but also those in Japan and at the U.S. Pacific Command. The strategy is expected to thwart potential North Korean provocations in the most efficient way possible and also discourage the North from conducting any provocations beforehand.

The fact that an enemy has a strong plan may cause its opponent to fear that its provocation attempt will only end up being a failure. Obviously, the announcement of such a plan has the effect of deterring provocations. If past experience is any guide, however, North Korea’s provocations were not always based on reasonable calculations or judgment. South Korea’s strong defense posture, therefore, may not prove one hundred percent effective as long as North Korea is determined to go ahead with an attack. Still, I think the coordinated response by South Korea and the U.S. does put psychological pressure on North Korea.

South Korea and the U.S. also agreed to develop a “tailored deterrence strategy.” That is, when there is a hazardous sign of North Korea’s nuclear and weapons of mass destruction threats, the U.S. will provide extended deterrence for South Korea, using the full range of capabilities including the U.S. nuclear umbrella and missile defense capabilities, to strike the target precisely and neutralize it.

The term “tailored” usually contrasts to “general” or “comprehensive.” Tightening an alert level in the event of North Korean threats may produce the negative result of escalating tension in the region. The “tailored” strategy, as its name indicates, is aimed at strengthening defense against a particular threat, namely, North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction, rather than increasing readiness against all sorts of threats comprehensively.

In addition, Seoul and Washington decided to advance their combined readiness in the northwest islands and areas near the Northern Limit Line and agreed to maintain the current level of U.S. Forces Korea in South Korea. The two sides also promised to establish a bilateral strategic policy dialogue on cyber security issues, in regards to the challenges posed by increasing threats in cyberspace. Attention is now being drawn to how North Korea will respond. Pyongyang has yet to make a specific response, but some are concerned that the recent South Korea-U.S. agreement may spark North Korea’s opposition and cause a setback in the ongoing efforts toward additional inter-Korean denuclearization talks and North Korea-U.S. dialogue. But Dr. Cha has a different opinion.

The joint statements released at previous Security Consultative Meetings have never ruined negotiations underway. Of course, North Korea could use it as an excuse to boycott dialogue for its own interests or strategic purposes. But the momentum for dialogue is being developed now, as North Korea and the U.S. are making efforts to facilitate bilateral dialogue and the six-party talks as well. Both sides have no reason for breaking down dialogue. I think the worries about the negative impact on North Korea-U.S. dialogue or the resumption of the six-party talks are unfounded.

While seeking to establish a strong defense posture against North Korea’s military provocations, the South Korean government also allows civic groups to provide humanitarian aid to the North. Now that involved countries have entered an “adjustment” phase for the resumption of the six-party talks following the recent North Korea-U.S. meeting in Geneva, experts stress the need for an efficient strategy to elicit a change of attitude from North Korea.

It is necessary to strengthen national defense, of course. But it is also inevitable for Seoul to leave room for dialogue with North Korea, given the current structure of inter-Korean ties. South Korea cannot depend solely on dialogue, though, because North Korea continues tactical provocations even while efforts for dialogue are underway. It’s important to remind North Korea that dialogue will be much more helpful for its own interest than provocations. North Korea will be met with stern punishment if it launches a provocation. Also, in reminding the North of this, South Korea needs to persuade the North with patience to solve its problems through dialogue.

Through the joint statement, South Korea and the U.S. cemented their alliance and expressed their strong determination not to tolerate any North Korean provocations like the artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island. Experts note that the goal of the joint operational plan between South Korea and the U.S. is not to attack North Korea but to deter its provocations. Pyongyang should make the wise decision to ease military tensions between the two Koreas and promote peace in the region.



[Interview] Defector Trains National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team
Promising Korean rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-ja earned a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics with the best-ever result for Korean gymnasts at the 2011 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships last month. Inspired by the feat, rhythmic gymnastics are gaining more attention and popularity here in South Korea. Here’s a person with a special story in this field. Lee Gyeong-hee, now serving as the coach of the South Korean national rhythmic gymnastics team for group programs, was a top-rated rhythmic gymnast in North Korea. The former sports star in East Asia began to win medals at international competitions in 1989, and became a triple gold medalist at the 1991 Summer Universiad in Sheffield, Britain, including the individual all-round championship. Here’s Ms. Lee.

It was 1989 when I first participated in an international competition. I came in first in the ball, and third in the individual all round final at the 1990 Four Continents Championships in Japan. At the Universiad the following year, I won three gold medals, in the ball, in clubs and the individual all-round. My mom said I was special when I was little. I was always doing something and never kept still. My mom thought she must let me do something. So she decided to take me to a rhythmic gymnastics coach. A year later, the coach recognized that I was tall and my limbs are long, slim and flexible.

In recognition of her achievements in international competitions, Lee was granted the title of “meritorious athlete” in North Korea and lived comfortably there. Her father was a professor, and she married the son of a high-ranking official after she retired in 1994. So, why did she leave her home country and choose to defect to South Korea? She had many opportunities to visit foreign countries to participate in competitions. She says the outside world she saw with her own eyes was totally different from what she had learned in North Korea. And this disparity disturbed her.

I began to participate in international competitions when I was 14. I would attend lectures on the Juche, or self-reliance, ideology before entering the competitions. While traveling to many countries and cities, like Russia, Bulgaria, France, Italy and Athens, I found the world out there was completely different from what I had learned in school. I had my own child, and I wanted to show my kid a broader world. That’s why I’m here now.

Lee’s husband did business in China, but he died of a sudden heart attack. In June 2007, she decided to come to South Korea with her son. Fortunately, some South Korean officials in rhythmic gymnastics recognized her and her ability. Thanks to their support, she was able to work at the Korea Gymnastic Association, only five months after she resettled in South Korea. But it was far from easy to teach South Korean athletes because South Korea’s rhythmic gymnastics was different from the one in North Korea.

In North Korea, it is called “art gymnastics,” not “rhythmic gymnastics.” There are wide differences in music and instruments. The athletes should use North Korean music. Foreign music is prohibited. Also, North Korea has its own rules and terms, while South Korean gymnasts use foreign words, like “jump.” North Korean gymnasts should not use those foreign words. If they do, they are criticized in a weekly meeting for failing to express the Juche idea properly. It was difficult to teach students here at first. But the terms are commonly used worldwide, so I became used to them soon.

Lee used to teach the rhythmic gymnastics team as a roving coach, but she became the official coach fully in charge of the national team for group programs in January this year. The team has yet to produce visible results, but the coach says she believes in the infinite potential of young athletes, asking the public to show interest and give them support.

South Korea’s rhythmic gymnastics has been developing fast since the Beijing Olympics. The athletes go to Bulgaria and Russia for off-season training and engage in exchanges there. They are improving their abilities significantly. As a former medalist, I hope to train the athletes well so they can upgrade their skills and win medals in international competitions. I hope to do something special to contribute to the development of South Korea’s rhythmic gymnastics.