Northeast Asia remains a region of vital importance to U.S. national interests, and is critical to global stability and prosperity as its population of more than 1.6 billion accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world's economy. It is home to three of the world's most influential capitals in Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing, and contains a high concentration of military power with four of the world's six largest militaries. At the center of this complex and dynamic regional security situation, the Korean Peninsula is Northeast Asia's strategic key terrain.
The region remains tense due to factors such as complex interdependence, a lack of Northeast Asian institutions to prevent conflict, and lingering historical animosities. But relationships are changing. The China -- north Korea relationship is at a low point where north Korea continues to pursue objectives that may lead to conflict and instability. International sanctions, most notably U.N. Security Council Resolution 2270, condemn north Korea's provocative research and development efforts, and China, even as north Korea's major trading partner, endorsed the sanctions and pledged to enforce them.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) continues to maintain a strong relationship with the United States. This is reflected by popular sentiment in the ROK where a vast majority support the continued U.S. military presence. The ROK's relationship with China is improving after the perceived Chinese critical responses to nuclear and missile tests in early 2016. The ROK's relationship with Japan continues to improve with senior level dialog, senior political and military visits, and support of trilateral ROK--U.S.--Japan cooperation. But the inter-Korean relationship has further soured, as both South and north Korea have pulled back from some efforts aimed to improve communications and cooperation, like the shared economic activities of the Kaesong Industrial Complex which were recently shuttered. The lack of willingness on the part of north Korea to discuss de-nuclearization is viewed by South Korea as insincerity in any calls for talks between the two countries.
Japan's decisions to take a more active role in its own defense and to participate in advancing global security are also adding to the changing environment. These choices are viewed by many nations around the world as a positive development; yet, some in Northeast Asia -- China, the ROK, and north Korea have been critical, as historical issues linger and hinder the development of trust.
Adding another dimension to the changing environment is Russia, which has continued to expand its military presence, economic investment, and diplomatic engagements to reassert its strategic interests in the region. Increasingly Russia is seeking military cooperation with China.
NORTH KOREA: HOSTILITY IN AN EVOLVING REGION
While Northeast Asia has continued to grow in its global significance, north Korea has chosen not to embrace this era of change. The Kim Regime instead creates and magnifies the tension on the Korean Peninsula and the region. It has not ceased its disturbing provocation cycles, and has continued to advance its asymmetric capabilities such as nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and cyber competencies. Combined with its aging, yet formidable conventional military force of approximately one million active duty troops, these capabilities enable provocative actions.
This was demonstrated last August when north Korean land mines wounded two ROK Soldiers. As tensions rose, observers noted the greatest risk of renewed hostilities since the early 1990s. Moreover, as little as 15 years ago, military planners assumed any conflict in Korea could be contained to Korea; but this assumption is no longer valid. Today, such conflict on the Peninsula that includes the interconnected nature of modern societies can quickly ripple across the region and the world.
THREE COMMANDS WITH COMPLEMENTARY MISSIONS TO ADDRESS THE THREAT
This risk and the region's significance requires a mechanism to enhance stability. To help alleviate this gap, the United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) provide a strong presence and key resources that support security in both the ROK and Northeast Asia. While each has a distinct mission, they complement each other in deterring and defending against acts of aggression directed toward the ROK to help maintain regional stability.
The oldest command, UNC, was formed in July of 1950 and its multinational troops fought relentlessly to end hostilities on the Korean Peninsula. The Command's mission has evolved from controlling combat operations with forces from 16 different nations to maintaining the 1953 Armistice Agreement. Today, UNC Sending State officers are currently serving in the UNC Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) Secretariat at Yongsan, Panmunjom, and the Western Transportation Corridor that links north and South Korea, as well as several key roles on the UNC staff to support UNC operations.
CFC, a combined-joint command, was established in November of 1978 and serves as the heart of our U.S.-ROK military Alliance. CFC leads deterrence and preparations for the defense of the ROK as the primary combined warfighting command. It focuses on readiness through combined activities which promote a stable security environment fortified by the ROK-U.S. bilateral force. While current operational control during wartime is currently held by the U.S., necessary conditions for the transfer of this control to the ROK continue to emerge. Ultimately, the CFC will shift to a ROK military lead when those conditions are met.
USFK's mission is to provide trained and ready forces to the UNC and CFC for the defense of the Republic of Korea. As a sub-unified command of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), USFK stands strong with 24,500 Service Members assigned to the Peninsula within the Eighth United States Army, Seventh Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces-Korea (MARFOR-K), Combined Naval Forces Korea (CNFK), and Special Operations Command-Korea (SOCKOR). The U.S. forces are supported by more than 4,700 U.S. government civilians, 4,900 rotational forces, and 12,300 ROK local national workers. All told the USFK strength is over 46,500 people. This joint command maintains a vigilant force ready to "fight tonight" to deter armed attack and, if needed, to defeat aggression. Greater reliance on rotational forces deployed to the Korean peninsula under USFK command continue to raise operational readiness. Concurrently, USFK is overseeing a massive transformation that consists of base closings, major construction projects, and relocations of forces into a new footprint.
ENHANCING THE COMMANDS TO REMAIN AHEAD OF THE THREAT
As the threat from north Korea continues to evolve, UNC, CFC, and USFK must do the same to preserve the Armistice, promote regional stability, and defend the ROK if necessary. We must continue to focus on multinational-combined-joint operations and training that include rotational forces and re-stationing of our Service Members and Civilians south of Seoul.
This past year, operations and training as a multinational-combined-joint force were highlighted by the annual KEY RESOLVE and ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN/FOAL EAGLE exercises. These realistic training events tested the foundation of our combined staffs and rotational augmentees through crisis situations that required a unified effort to defend against and end simulated hostilities on the Peninsula. These regular exercises help our Alliance leaders become more adept to handle such situations and demonstrate our level of high readiness.
Separate components have also benefited, as Eighth Army is now host to its third rotational Brigade Combat Team in just over two years, and also recently hosted a cavalry squadron and field artillery battalion. By training regularly with ROK troops, these forces continue to build regional competencies that enhance the overall U.S. Army force. Complementing Army rotations, CNFK supported 15 naval exercises and 19 port visits to improve interoperability between the U.S. and ROK Navies.
III Marine Expeditionary Force and MARFOR-K executed the SSANG YONG exercise, a biannual combined amphibious exercise conducted with the ROK Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army, and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen interoperability. Striving for the same interoperability, Seventh Air Force conducted a multitude of Combined and Joint exercises such as MAX THUNDER and BUDDY WING iterations. Accompanying the conventional components, SOCKOR brought in elements from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), the 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Marine Special Operations Command, and U.S. Navy SEALs to ensure ready, flexible, and agile combined special operations capabilities.
RELOCATING FOR READINESS AND EFFICIENCY
the majority of U.S. forces to areas in the southern half of South Korea is nearing completion. The transformation and relocation program will enhance ROK-U.S. Alliance readiness for stability on the Korean Peninsula through increased efficiencies and consolidation of services. The majority of new facility construction at Humphreys will be finalized in 2016, and the majority of unit relocations will occur through 2018. As a sign of progress, CNFK relocated from Seoul to Busan in July 2015. During these transitions, we are committed to making relocation decisions with the effective defense of the Republic of Korea as our most important priority.
SERVING IN KOREA: A UNIQUE AND REWARDING OPPORTUNITY
Today, the three Commands in Korea remain a vital component to promote and support deterrence of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula and within the dynamic Northeast Asian region. Our military and civilian team members find themselves actively contributing to a multinational, joint, and combined environment with a uniquely challenging yet rewarding mission set alongside partners who are ready to go together to make a difference.
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