Joint Statement of The Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue

It is too bad we missed the opportunity to perhaps reverse the dissolution of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command.  On the other hand such a decision will most likely have to be made at the Presidential level so the words below are likely simply boilerplate.  But we the north Koreans have presented an opportunity for the Alliance to get things right on this so-called transformation.  

The U.S. and the ROK reaffirmed their comprehensive strategy to strengthen the alliance for years to come, including achieving the transition of wartime operational control and USFK base relocation by their planned timeline.  In addition, the two sides will maintain close cooperation in developing the future command structure and combined operational plans, and ensuring ROK critical military capabilities and U.S. bridging and enduring capabilities.

V/R Dave

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From: "DoD News" <dodnews@subscriptions.dod.mil>

Date: February 22, 2013, 19:32:04 EST

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Subject: Joint Statement of The Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue

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You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Joint Statement of The Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue 02/22/2013 06:20 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 105-13 February 22, 2013 Joint Statement of The Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue             The Department of Defense and Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of Defense held the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue Feb. 21-22 in Washington, D.C.  The biannual KIDD, which was formally established during the October 2011 Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul, is the umbrella framework for various U.S.-ROK bilateral initiatives, including the Extended Deterrence Policy Committee, the Strategic Alliance 2015 Working Group, and the Security Policy Initiative.              Over the course of the two-day KIDD, ROK Deputy Minister Lim Kwan-bin met with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy James Miller, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs Mark Lippert, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia David Helvey.  The results of the meetings are as follows:              The two sides agreed that the North Korean nuclear test was a highly provocative act that, following its December 2012 missile launch, undermines regional stability, violates North Korea's obligations under numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, contravenes its commitments under the Sept. 19, 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks, and increases the risk of proliferation.  In addition, the two sides affirmed the view, expressed at the January 2013 United States-Republic of Korea-Japan Defense Trilateral Talks in Tokyo, that if North Korea carries out any further provocations, it will bear responsibility for the consequences it will face for disregarding the overwhelming views of the international community.  Finally, the two sides addressed immediate, coordinated actions and agreed to continue the close collaboration within the alliance in response to the recent North Korean provocations and the North's unacceptable pursuit of nuclear and missile capabilities.              The two sides discussed ways to strengthen the combined defense posture to defend the Republic of Korea and to deter North Korean aggression and provocations, including planning for the transition to a ROK-led combined defense, continuing combined exercises, and enhancing combined alliance capabilities.  The two sides also reaffirmed U.S. defense commitments to provide and strengthen extended deterrence for the ROK, including the full range of military capabilities:  the U.S. nuclear umbrella, conventional strike, and missile defense.  Through the Extended Deterrence Policy Committee, the two countries will continue to develop a bilateral tailored deterrence strategy that refines alliance response measures for North Korean nuclear and WMD threat scenarios.               The two sides also addressed various areas of alliance cooperation, including cyber and space cooperation, regional and global cooperation, missile defense, and C4I interoperability.  As the two nations celebrate the 60thanniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance this year, they committed to developing a future-oriented strategic alliance that meets the challenges of the 21stcentury.              The U.S. and the ROK reaffirmed their comprehensive strategy to strengthen the alliance for years to come, including achieving the transition of wartime operational control and USFK base relocation by their planned timeline.  In addition, the two sides will maintain close cooperation in developing the future command structure and combined operational plans, and ensuring ROK critical military capabilities and U.S. bridging and enduring capabilities. U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

South Korean Parliament approves 2013 gov't budget after beginning of fiscal year

The times are chaining in South Korea.  I suspect the changes in defense expenditures will have an impact on Korean military transformation and the development of its independent warfighting capabilities by 2015.  Not discussed in the article is the funding for relocating the US military headquarters from Yongsan to Pyongtaek.  Perhaps some rational thought will now be given to not dissolving the ROK-US Combined Forces Command in 2015.

  The budget would permit the government to push forward various welfare programs, including free childcare for all families with children up to five years old and subsidizing college tuition and social security insurance premiums shouldered by the lower class. 

   Instead, lawmakers substantially slashed proposed budget for various defense projects, including next-generation fighter jets, K-2 tanks, air-to-ground guided missiles and large attack helicopters.
…
  Salaries for soldiers will go up 20 percent on-year in 2013, with Park having pledged to double salaries in three years.

V/R

Dave

2013/01/01 08:21 KST

(LEAD) Parliament approves 2013 gov't budget after beginning of fiscal year

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2012/12/31/40/0301000000AEN20121231008051315F.HTML

SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly passed the government's 2013 budget bill early Tuesday morning after rival parties belatedly reached a compromise on how to fund President-elect Park Geun-hye's campaign pledges to increase welfare spending and help needy people.

   The one-house legislature approved the 342 trillion won (US$321.73 billion) budget, a net decline of about 500 billion won from 342.5 trillion won in the initial government proposal.

The budget plan passed the main floor session in a 202-40 vote about six hours after the dawn of the new year, though the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) had already struck a deal on key issues earlier this week.

   The two sides were locked in a bitter tug-of-war over how to fund the controversial project to build a naval base on the southern resort island of Jeju, even after the bill passed the parliamentary budget committee late Monday night to be up for discussion in the full floor session.

   It marks the first time in the country's history that a budget bill has been approved after the beginning of the fiscal year.

   South Korean law obliges the parliament to pass its annual budget bill by Dec. 2 to allow 30 days of preparation for the bill's implementation. Rival parties have failed to meet that deadline since 2002.

   The total amount, originally expected to be larger than the government proposal, became smaller as lawmakers adjusted down expenditures for national defense and security and some state programs, among others, to increase welfare spending.

   The budget would permit the government to push forward various welfare programs, including free childcare for all families with children up to five years old and subsidizing college tuition and social security insurance premiums shouldered by the lower class.

(Continued at the link below)

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2012/12/31/40/0301000000AEN20121231008051315F.HTML