[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] What is the 'Plan B' Prepared for North Korea Provocations?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] South Korea and the United States have agreed to activate a ‘Plan B’ to jointly command the US Forces Korea and the Pacific Command if North Korea launches an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during the South Korea-US summit. The purpose is to demonstrate a strong response to North Korea’s provocations.

According to intelligence authorities on the 19th, North Korea is estimated to have moved an ICBM mounted on a transporter erector launcher (TEL) out of its base and is fueling it with liquid propellant around the Pyongyang Sunan area since late last week. Once liquid fuel is loaded into an ICBM, it must be launched within 3 to 4 days. The launch timing coincides with President Biden’s visit to South Korea on the 20th or the South Korea-US summit on the 21st.

If North Korea launches the Hwasong-17 or Hwasong-15 ICBM, South Korea and the US will immediately activate the combined defense posture command and control system. The two leaders will move to the underground bunker of the presidential office building and connect via video with US Forces Korea, the Pacific Command, and the US Forces Japan Command to jointly command and respond.

Separately, there are also expectations that the US strategic weapons may raise the level of response by conducting threat flights as a warning. The strategic weapons expected to be deployed include the US’s three major long-range bombers: the B-52H (Stratofortress), B-1B (Lancer), and B-2 (Spirit).

In September 2017, immediately after North Korea’s sixth nuclear test, the US flew two B-1B strategic bombers, known as the ‘Death Swans,’ and F-15C fighters into international airspace over the East Sea north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL). At that time, US bombers and fighters reportedly flew the farthest north beyond the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop also held a phone call with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the 18th for the first time since his inauguration to discuss ways to maintain a strong combined defense posture. Minister Lee emphasized the importance of deploying US strategic assets in this context.