OPLAN 5029

OPLAN 5029 is a proposed military operation plan by the United States and South Korea for dealing with "sudden change" in North Korea,^[1][2][3] such as a coup d’etat, revolution, large scale defections, outflow of weapons of mass destruction, South Korean hostage incident within North Korea, or major natural disaster.^[4] While no permanent version of OPLAN 5029 is known to be in effect, South Korea has repeatedly stated it adheres to the current conceptual plan (CONPLAN 5029) and the United States has said it is preparing concrete plans for collapse scenarios.^[4]

Online reports indicate that China also has plans on the subject.^[5]

History

In August 1999, General John H. Tilelli, Jr., commander of United States Forces Korea, acknowledged the existence of a scenario and plan by ROK-US Combined Forces Command involving the collapse of North Korea, stating "it would be unusual if we didn't have one."

In early 2005, the South Korean National Security Council vetoed an American proposal to upgrade CONPLAN 5029's general course of action to the specific military plans of an operational plan, where the United States would have command over South Korean military assets in the event of a North Korean collapse. South Korean officials rejected the plan over fears it might limit "South Korea's exercise of its sovereignty," though American officials argued it would be necessarily for securing sensitive nuclear and military facilities as well as protecting the general public. In June 2005, South Korean Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung and US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld agreed to further "improve and develop" the concept plan.

Throughout late 2008, in response to rumors of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il being in poor health, references were made to response plans. Discussions in October between US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and South Korean Minister of National Defense Lee Sang-hee over the planned transition of wartime operations to South Korean forces also included continued formulation of an operation plan for a North Korean collapse, after a proposal made in an earlier meeting between the American and South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. In a speech to the Korea Retired Generals and Admirals Association, U.S. Forces Korea Commander General Walter Sharp announced that response plans to a variety of situations involving North Korea, including instability and regime change, had been prepared. The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency responded by claimed that "the U.S. and the South Korean war-like forces [had] openly held an anti-DPRK military confab at which they agreed to 'rapidly dispatch reinforcements in contingency'" and claimed "U.S. belligerent forces would be well advised not to misjudge the army of Songun and the will of the DPRK but stop their reckless moves for a new war."

Scenarios

A great deal of speculation exists on the outcome of a North Korean collapse, owing to the lack of a detailed operational plan, the circumstances that would lead to an intervention in North Korea, and the choices available to a wide range of actors.

Many have speculated on the importance of securing North Korea's nuclear weapons program to prevent their use against South Korea or being used towards nuclear terrorism. South Korean and American officials have stated that American forces would most likely take the lead on securing nuclear material, before and after the planned transfer of wartime operations, though South Korean troops would also be able to aid in matters of nuclear, chemical, and biological materials.^[6]

Another unknown is what plans China is assumed to have prepared in the event of a North Korean collapse. With the different circumstances that could lead to either a gradual or sudden collapse, it is unknown whether a Chinese response would be to support the current regime, act in accordance with an international effort, or intervene militarily out of concern for refugees, unsecured nuclear technology, or regional influence.^[5]

Notes

1. ^ http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/385351.html
2. ^ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128795368&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
3. ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/oplan-5029.htm
4. ^ ^{a b} "OPLAN 5029 risks ceding South Korean sovereignty to the U.S.". Hankyoreh. 27 July 2010. http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/385351.html. Retrieved 1 August 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/kimcheegi/5097.html
6. ^ http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4361727

See also

• OPLAN 5027
• Korean reunification

External links

• OPLAN 5029 - Collapse of North Korea