Accession Number:

ADA278297

Title:

Should U.S. Military Forces Remain in Korea After Reunification

Descriptive Note:

Research rept. Aug 1992-Apr 1993

Corporate Author:

INDUSTRIAL COLL OF THE ARMED FORCES WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Betts, John E.

Report Date:

1993-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

34.0

Abstract:

Korea has been divided into two nations since the end of World War II. The northern portion of the peninsula, North Korea Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea or DPRK, is a hard-line, Stalinist-Marxist, regime. However, the southern part of the peninsula, South Korea Republic of Korea or ROK, is a nascent democracy with a market economy. The collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union has also increased the expectation in the ROK that Communism will suffer a similar fate in the DPRK, and that Korea will be reunified under the South Korean government. Such an event presents the United States with a major policy issue Should U.S. forces remain on the Korean peninsula after reunification This paper is based on three assumptions 1 the reunification of North and South Korea will occur in a peaceful manner 2 the DPRK will collapse within 10-20 years and 3 a reunified Korean nation will be administered by the government in Seoul. It discusses the military, political and economic considerations-- of both the United States and a reunified Korea-- as to whether U.S. forces should remain on the peninsula after reunification. The paper concludes with the recommendation that U.S. air forces should remain in Korea after reunification.

Descriptors:

• *FOREIGN POLICY
• *GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN)
• NORTH KOREA
• SOCIETIES
• MILITARY PLANNING
• COMMUNISM
• DEMOCRACY
• SOUTH KOREA
• INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• POLITICAL ALLIANCES
• NATIONAL SECURITY
• ECONOMICS

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE