Video of the Conference: Unification of the Korean Peninsula: Issues and Opportunities

Below are the links to each of the panel videos for the conference described below that was held on 25-26 June 2015.

Day 1 Opening Remarks

Day 1 Panel 1: Human Rights

Day 1 Panel 2: Economy

Day 1 Panel 3: Major Powers

Day 2 Panel 4: Unified Korea

Day 2 Closing Remarks

Unification of the Korean Peninsula:   Issues and Opportunities   Thursday, June 25: 8:45 AM - 6:00 PM Friday, June 26: 9:30 - 12:00 PM Copley Formal Lounge, Copley Hall   Georgetown University, 37th and O St. NW

We cordially invite you to join us for the Annual Conference of the International Council on Korean Studies, "Unification of the Korean Peninsula: Issues and Opportunities." This year's conference is co-hosted by the International Council on Korean Studies and the Georgetown University Center for Security Studies, jointly with the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, the Korea Economic Institute, the One Free Korea Foundation, the Korea Foundation, with generous support from the Philip and Patricia Bilden Asian Security Studies Fund.    The full conference agenda is below; attendeance is free and this event is open to the press and public.  Breakfast will be provided both days as well as a full catered lunch on Thursday, June 25.  Attendees should RSVP no later  than Monday, June 22, 2015.   RSVP June 25, 2015, Thursday 08:15 AM                         Registration Opens 08:45 - 09:00 AM          Opening Remarks Speakers             Dr. Bruce E. Bechtol, Jr., President International Council of Korean Studies and Angelo State University Professor David Maxwell, Associate Director, Center for Security Studies, Georgetown University Mr. Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director Committee for Human Rights in North Korea Honorable Donald Manzullo, President Korea Economic Institute of America 09:00 - 11:45 AM          Panel I. Human Rights in North Korea: The Impact on Unification Moderator             Dr. Douglas Streusand, Professor, Marine Corps University Papers                   "Internal Security Issues and Human Rights in North Korea" Mr. Robert Collins, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea "Human Security in North Korea" Mr. Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director, HRNK "Post-Unification Human Rights and Humanitarian Concerns" Ms. Roberta Cohen, Brookings Institution Discussants         Ms. Amanda Mortwedt Oh, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea Dr. Terence J. Roehrig, U.S. Naval War College 12:00 - 1:45 PM  Luncheon and Luncheon Speech "Security and Unification Issues on the Korean Peninsula" General John H. Tilelli, USA (Ret.), Co-Chairman Council on U.S.-Korean Security Studies (U.S. Council) 2:00 - 3:45 PM    Panel II: Future Shape of Korea's Economy Moderator             Dr. Soon Paik, U.S. Department of Labor (Ret.) and Professor, Washington University of Virginia and ICKS Papers  "Korean Unification and the Financial System" Mr. Bradley Babson, US-Korea Institute "Energy and the Environment: Challenges to a Post-Unification Economic Recovery" Mr. Troy Stangarone, Korea Economic Institute of America "DPRK Agriculture - Recent Developments and Prospects after Unification" Dr. W. Randall Ireson, Rural Development Solutions Discussants         Dr. Mark Manyin, Senior Fellow, Congressional Research Service Dr. Hugo Kim, Professor, Washington University of Virginia and ICKS 4:00 - 6:00 PM   Panel III: The Major Powers and Korean Unification Moderator          Dr. Patrick Cronin, Senior Advisor and Senior Director Asia-Pacific Security Program, Center for New American Security Papers  "China and the Korean Peninsula: Why the problems?" Mr. Gordon G. Chang, Forbes.com "Japan's role in Korean Unification" Mr. James R. Kendall, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, USA "The North Korean threat to the USA and Unification" Dr. Bruce E. Bechtol Jr., Angelo State University Discussants           Dr. Andrew Scobell, Senior Fellow, RAND Corporation Washington Dr. Jong O. Ra, Professor, Hollins University and Virginia Tech June 26, 2015, Friday 9:30 - 11:30 AM      Panel IV: Planning for a Unified Korea Moderator             Dr. Jai P. Ryu, President, One Korea Foundation and Professor Emeritus, Loyola University of Maryland Papers "Unification Options and Scenarios" Professor David Maxwell, Georgetown University "Engagement and Coercion: Finding the Right Combination for the DPRK" Dr. Tara O, Pacific Forum CSIS "Government and Security in a Unified Korea" Mr. Sungmin Cho, Georgetown University Discussants         Dr. Bruce Bechtol, Angelo State University Dr. Hang Yul Rhee, Professor, Shepherd University (Retired) 11:45 - 12:00 PM       Closing Remarks Speakers             Dr. Bruce E. Bechtol, Jr., President International Council of Korean Studies and Angelo State University Honorable Donald Manzullo, President Korea Economic Institute of America Mr. Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director Committee for Human Rights IN North Korea David Maxwell, Associate Director, Center for Security Studies, Georgetown University Questions?   Contact the Center for Security Studies at securitystudies@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-043(202) 687-0436 Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by June 17 using the contact information above.  A good faith effort will be made to fulfill requests made after June 17. Visitors to campus may find information on public transportation and the Georgetown University Shuttlehere.  Visitors who prefer to park at Georgetown University are encouraged to use the Southwest Garageon campus.

The ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty at 60 Years: Relevant Now and in the Future

My latest essay published on The Peninsula blog at the Korea Economic Institute.

V/R

Dave

The ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty at 60 Years: Relevant Now and in the Future

Posted on 01 October 2013. Tags: military affairs, US - ROK Relations

http://blog.keia.org/2013/10/the-rok-u-s-mutual-defense-treaty-at-60-years-relevant-now-and-in-the-future/

By David S. Maxwell

As we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the 1953 ROK/U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty we should keep in mind that celebrate is the right word for Koreans and Americans to attach to this milestone.  We can proudly look back on its success. In so doing we should realize that it remains relevant today and the six articles with just 460 words (in the English translation) that make up the treaty remain necessary to support the strategic interests of the ROK and U.S. for the foreseeable future (and per Article VI, indefinitely unless terminated by either party with one year’s notice).

The treaty’s most important contribution is that it has allowed the ROK and U.S. to institute an evolving security arrangement that has deterred war for the past sixty years.  While North Korea and the Kim family regime built a huge military, sought nuclear weapons, and conducted numerous provocations to undermine the ROK, the ROK/U.S. alliance developed superior capabilities that have effectively prevented a resumption of hostilities that were temporarily suspended with the 1953 Armistice Agreement.

The treaty bought time and provided space for the Republic of Korea to create and the world to experience the “Miracle on the Han” with Korea becoming one of the leading economies in the world, with a highly developed industrial base providing innovative technology, goods and services as well as making cutting edge cultural contributions to the global community. Perhaps most important it provided the opportunity for the ROK to develop politically into one of the most vibrant democracies in the free world.

The ROK and U.S. militaries’ combined operational capabilities have evolved over the past sixty years.  There is no bi-lateral alliance in the world with a more interoperable military force and a more integrated command and control organization than the ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command.  ROK and U.S. forces have served together in off-peninsula locations as well from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan further enhancing the strength of the alliance.

The past 60 years have not been without difficulty and controversy.  From a long history of North Korean provocations to incidents that caused alliance friction from Kwangju to the tragic Highway 56 incident to perceptions of the United States military dominating the military command and occupying Korean territory, all have tested the alliance and helped make the alliance stronger than ever today.  Currently there are complex ongoing negotiations regarding burden sharing and the so-called OPCON transfer.  In order to achieve OPCON transfer the ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command must be dissolved and two separate national war fighting commands must be established.   However, in July the ROK Minister of Defense requested a second delay to the 2015 date.

As we look at the current state of the alliance and think about the way ahead we should consider just what the ROK and U.S. militaries must prepare for and be able to do in order to continue to support the Mutual Defense Treaty:

1.  Deter attack from North Korea and if deterrence fails fight and win.

2.  Prepare for war and North Korean regime collapse.

3.  Maintain a combined readiness posture to respond to North Korean provocations as well as deter and defend against war and deal with regime collapse.

4.  Support the unification of Korea.

Given the threats from the North, the fiscal realities facing both the ROK and U.S., and the tasks required to support the Mutual Defense Treaty the question is how should the military alliance transform to best support the strategic objectives of the ROK and U.S.?

First, in order to maintain the most effective and efficient military capability I recommend that the ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command not be dissolved in 2015 or until there is no longer a threat from the North.  However, in 2015 command should shift to a ROK general officer with a U.S. general officer as the deputy.  We should recall that Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty does not specify command relationships or structure, but provides wide latitude so that military professionals may recommend to the political leaders of both nations the best way to organize military forces to achieve mutual objectives:

“Separately and jointly, by self help and mutual aid, the Parties will maintain and develop appropriate means to deter armed attack and will take suitable measures in consultation and agreement to implement this Treaty and to further its purposes…” (emphasis added)

Under the treaty the command can be dissolved, the status quo can be maintained, or a ROK general officer can be put in command if both nations agree.  I would argue that the most appropriate means include maintaining the ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command.

(Continued at the link below)

http://blog.keia.org/2013/10/the-rok-u-s-mutual-defense-treaty-at-60-years-relevant-now-and-in-the-future/