The South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) made clear once again on Mar. 2 that the annual joint military drill Key Resolve/Foal Eagle (KR/FE) of two countries which began on Feb. 28 is defensive in nature.
"The joint exercises are carried out in order to reinforce strength of South Korea-U.S. alliance and security of Northeast Asian region," said CFC. "It is also aimed at repulsing enemy's attack."
Key Resolve, which will last until Mar. 10, is an annual command post exercise (CPX) held by United Nations Command (UNC), CFC, United States Forces Korea (USFK) under the command of United States Pacific Command. Foal Eagle is a field training exercise that will last until April 30.
The purpose of the exercises to verify U.S.'s resolution aimed at providing assistance in case of South Korea being attacked by any enemies. At the same time, the drills are carried out in order to improve command post's defensive readiness. It is focused on making general military operations under strategic, operational and tactical aspects within the Korean Theater of Operations.
Most of all, the exercises are targeted at strengthening South Korea-U.S. alliance and defending provocations under realistic scenario rather than conventional weapons. Through such scenario, Seoul and Washington are trying to attain proficiency in crisis management, defensive operations and stability operations.
The drills are planned to prepare for unspecific threats in the future. They are also U.S.'s commitment to strengthen South Korea-U.S. alliance.
The joint exercises are carried out in the spirit of the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty which was signed on Oct. 1, 1953 and entered into force on Nov. 17, 1954. Two countries put importance on reinforcing alliance, friendship as well as maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.
Responding with sensitive reaction, North Korea has been calling the drill a preparation for war and 'offensive exercise' every year. However, Lt. Col. Kim Jae-eul, Korean public affairs officer under CFC said KR/FE is routine defensive readiness exercise held by South Korea and U.S.
-Is KR/FE being carried out as an action responding to recent North Korea's movement? Are these exercises closely related to political situation in South Korea or other countries?
"No. KR/FE is routine exercise held annually. It has nothing to do with North's recent movement. Rather it shows U.S.'s contribution toward South Korea-U.S. alliance and aims to reinforce joint combat readiness posture through joint drills.
-What units from U.S. are engaged in the drill?
"In Key Resolve, some 2,300 U.S. troops are participating. Among them, about 500 are augmented outside of South Korea. Also some additional 10,500 U.S. troops are dispatched here for Foal Eagle."
-What units from South Korea are engaged in the exercise?
"Units above operations command-level are engaged and the number of South Korean troops is similar to average year.
-Why the drill being implemented?
"The exercise is being carried out in order to make clear that South Korea-U.S. alliance is well prepared to defend South Korea in case of emergencies. All participating troops are going through important training programs."
-During Ulchi Freedom Guardian drill last year, two countries jointly implemented stability operations. Such operations are also being carried out during this year's KR/FE? Will these look provocative for North Korea? Operations related to nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction are also part of the drill?
"South Korea and U.S. stick to the rules not to release exercise scenario. What is obvious is that both countries jointly implement constant exercise so that they can get everything in readiness against North Korea's threats and provocations as well as gain capabilities to defeat the North immediately. Joint drill aimed at counteracting against threats of weapons of mass destruction as well as possibility of additional contingencies are necessary. They are very realistic provocative scenario. More profound additional training is needed. I would like say again that KR/FE is defensive in nature. There is no reason for North Korea to accept such drill as our threat or provocation.
-Are you saying that KR/FE is planned to show the ability of CFC that can certainly defend South Korea from the North's attack?
"The drill clearly shows U.S.'s commitment to South Korea-U.S. alliance. Also such exercise will beef up the strengthen of the alliance in order to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula and protect South Korea from outside attacks. Maintaining firm unit organizational structure and improving individual tactical skill are surely required. Making preparations for mutual operations management and combat readiness posture is very important under defensive system like CFC.
-Does an engagement of U.S. backup forces in the drill means that they are going to actually deployed here in case of emergencies?
"Those U.S. forces are representative forces that will defend South Korea under the Mutual Defense Treaty."
-Are lessons learned from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan reflected during the drill?
"One of lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan that we will apply is that when one region is engaged in a war, another region can experience a situation where stability and protective operations are being carried out. South Korean and U.S. troops conduct not only combat operations but also humanitarian assistance to provide security and stability to the people. Another lesson is that government's active intervention is crucial in stability operations. In order to win a war, not only joint military operations is important. Moreover, lessons from the sinking of Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island will be reflected during the drill. South Korean and U.S. military will make close examination on a series of past provocations from North Korea and set up plans to get rid of regional conflicts, economic crisis and humanitarian crisis.
RoK MoD
