Experts say that it is time to resume discussion of CONLAN (Concept Plan) 5029, the US-ROK Combined Forces Command plan in the event of preparing for the collapse of North Korea.
“Under the Roh Moo Hyun administration, all discussion of CONPLAN 5029 was suspended due to opposition from North Korea,” said Kim Tae Woo, senior analyst at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses in Seoul, at a July 31st forum organized by the Citizens United for Better Society in Seoul under the title, “Assessing US-ROK relations and managing the US-ROK alliance.”
Kim said in emphasis, “Some in the North Korean military believe that they can be heroes if they can stop South Korea from taking over North Korea at a time when their country is on the verge of collapse, and thus save the regime. However, others in the military think that it is best to surrender to South Korea, earn a reward for that and enjoy a better life.” Kim added, “At a time when the North Korean army stands at the crossroads of deciding between saving the regime and surrendering to South Korea, the U.S. will play a decisive role in pressuring the army into choosing the latter option.”
However, Kim also added, “If China comes to control North Korea before South Korea does, that might hinder the realization of peaceful unification of the two Koreas. Therefore, we should pay close attention to preventing China from having a hold over the post-Kim Jong Il North Korea.”
Kim continued, “We need help from the U.S, as the country has the technology to control North Korea’s missiles and nuclear programs. Now is time to resume the discussion of CONPLAN 5029, which was suspended by the Roh Moo Hyun administration as it advocated the principle of settling Korean problems between Koreans alone.”
Vice President of the Center for Free Enterprise Lee Choon Kun, who participated in the forum as a discussant said, “The US-ROK alliance has fallen to pieces in the past ten years due to ideological differences between the two governments, different perspectives regarding North Korea and its nuclear programs, and the growing anti-U.S. sentiment within South Korea.” Lee added that South Korea should keep pace with the U.S. in addressing global issues in order to reshape the current US-ROK alliance into a more progressive one.
Jung Ki Woong, researcher at the Global Politics Institute of HanKuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul said, “The best way to improve the deteriorating US-ROK relations is to strengthen economic ties. The South Korean government must work hard to conclude the FTA with the U.S. as soon as the new U.S. government takes office.”
