Accession Number:

ADB058838

Title:

Self-Defense of the Republic of Korea in the 1990's

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1981-05-11

Pagination or Media Count:

129.0

Abstract:

The problem undertaken in this thesis is to determine the Republic of Koreas R.O.K. most viable national defense strategy in the forthcoming decade in the absence or reduction of the American forces stationed in the R.O.K. Three international political theories are introduced to provide theoretical guidelines for the R.O.K. in development of alternatives in meeting the peculiar dilemma. The investigation then focuses on an analysis of the roles of the four great powers surrounding the Korean peninsula with emphasis on the geostrategic significance of the peninsula to them and their interests in and policies toward the peninsula. In addition North and South Korea are compared, centering on their military and economic capabilities and potentialities. In the context of respective interests of those nations involved, a possible scenario for the peninsula is identified. This analysis leads to an examination of five alternatives open to South Korea. Analysis reveals that 1 the present military balance of power on the peninsula favors the North, 2 the four great powers favor the status quo for the time being in the absence of the effective deterrent on the part of South Korea, however, the scenario for the peninsula would be North Korean Dominance of the Peninsula, and 3 the best alternative for the R.O.K. in meeting the possible future crisis is to attain an assured denial capability of its own through some viable means such as the so- called porcupines quills, i.e., being able to inflict sufficient damage to discourage aggression.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

  • Government and Political Science

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


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