[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] 'June, the Month of National Defense' Record-Breaking ROK-US Joint Military Exercise

70th Anniversary of the Korea-US Alliance: Massive Deployment of Korea-US Forces
10th Enemy Retaliation Drill Scheduled for This Year

In June, a large-scale 'Combined Joint Firepower Annihilation Exercise' featuring advanced forces from South Korea and the United States will take place. This exercise is set to demonstrate the formidable firepower and mobility of the ROK-US alliance on an unprecedented scale.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 22nd, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance and the armistice agreement this year, both countries are planning various commemorative projects focusing on realizing 'peace through strength' through joint actions based on the combined defense posture of the ROK-US alliance.

In particular, the Combined Joint Firepower Annihilation Exercise is a combined joint firepower demonstration training involving ground, naval, and air forces using the latest weapons to showcase the strategic deterrence capabilities and solid combined forces of South Korea and the United States amid the severe security situation posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. It demonstrates the ability to punish and annihilate enemy provocations if they occur. The exercise began in June 1977 and was held nine times until April 2017.

The last exercise, held six years ago, involved about 2,000 personnel from 48 ROK-US units, including South Korea’s Apache helicopters, K2 tanks, K21 armored vehicles, F-15K fighter jets, and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), as well as US Forces Korea’s Bradley armored vehicles, Apache helicopters, and A-10 attack aircraft. This time, advanced weapon systems such as manned-unmanned teaming systems, which the military is focusing on acquiring, are expected to appear in large numbers.

The Ministry of National Defense will also hold the 75th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces at the end of September with participation from US Forces Korea. The event will showcase the overwhelming North Korea deterrence and response capabilities of the ROK-US alliance, including the Korean-style three-axis system, and will be conducted in a format involving the public.

In October, which marks Armed Forces Day and the anniversary of the ROK-US alliance treaty, several commemorative projects will be implemented during a designated core week. At this year’s Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held in Seoul, the achievements of the 70-year ROK-US alliance will be evaluated, and the 'ROK-US Alliance Defense Vision' will be announced to design the future of the global comprehensive strategic alliance in the defense sector. Notably, in conjunction with the SCM, the first-ever 'ROK-UN Command Member States Defense Ministers Meeting' will be co-hosted by South Korea and the United States to reaffirm the support of UN Command member states for the security of the Republic of Korea and to strengthen cooperation and solidarity for maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

At the high-level annual multilateral security dialogue, the 'Seoul Defense Dialogue' (SDD), South Korea plans to highlight its contributions and role as a 'global pivotal state' for international peace and stability and to garner international support for its security and defense policies.

At the 'Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition' (Seoul ADEX) held in October, the excellence of K-defense will be promoted to expand the scope of defense exports, while advanced US air power will be exhibited, and a friendship flight by the ROK and US Air Forces will be conducted to add significance to the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance.

The ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty, which forms the legal foundation of the ROK-US alliance, was signed by both sides on October 1, 1953. This date coincides with Armed Forces Day, which marks the day the ROK forces crossed the 38th parallel and advanced north during the Korean War in 1950. The Republic of Korea Armed Forces were established with the founding of the Republic of Korea in 1948.