An Analysis of ROK-US (Republic of Korea-United States) Military Command Relationship from the Korean War to the Present

This study is to analyze the evolution of the Korean-American military command relationship from the historical perspective with the object of setting forth a proposal for a new structure based on a consultative relationship, rather than command. Analysis reveals that the current politically complex ROK-US military command arrangement is not designed to wage war. The inconsistency between the peacekeeping mission of the UNC and the warfighting task of the CFC seems to pose added problems for the effective combined operations of allies. No single US unit is assigned to CFC, while most combat units of ROK forces are assigned to CFC. Therefore, a more desirable proposal for the ROKUS military command arrangement is as follows 1 Eliminate the inequity in the ROKUS military command relationship by reevaluating and redefining the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty. It should reflect a command structure to which both countries will make forces available if North Korea attacks.