It's an "exciting" time to be on the Korean Peninsula. "Things are changing at a rapid pace," Army Gen. Thomas A. Schwartz recently told Congress members here.
"Who would have predicted that the summit would have taken place like it did last year?" the U.S. Forces Korea commander said. "Who would have predicted the amount of dialogue, the cultural exchanges -- all the things that are happening?"
Nonetheless, the four-star warned, North Korea remains a major threat to regional stability despite the thaw in relations. Chairman Kim Chong-il's military forces are now "bigger, better, closer and deadlier" than they were last year.
Schwartz, who commands U.N. Command/Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, testified before the House and Senate armed services committees in late March. Each spring, the military's top regional commanders present security reviews to Capitol Hill. They cover their command's readiness posture, challenges and priorities.
Schwartz's testimony and prepared statements both highlighted the diplomatic progress since the June meeting between South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korea's Kim Chong-il. He said both sides have taken steps toward reconciliation.
Schwartz called the economic, diplomatic and cultural measures taken so far "first steps." He said the improved relations don't warrant a cut in U.S. troop strength, and he would not recommend one at this time.
"Tangible military measures are key to reducing the risk of conflict," he stressed. The United States and its Pacific allies must encourage verifiable, reciprocal military confidence-building measures, he said.
If the North takes actions to reduce the tension and the threat, Schwartz continued, "then there could be a concomitant reduction of troops. But until we reach that period of time, I would not recommend to do so."
North Korea still fields far more conventional military force than self-defense would warrant, Schwartz said. With 1.2 million soldiers, sailors and airmen, North Korea has the world's fifth largest active duty force.
One million active duty soldiers make up North Korea's ground force. The air force has more than 1,700 aircraft and the navy has more than 800 ships, including the world's largest submarine fleet. Another 6 million reservists support the active duty force.
The North has deployed about 70 percent of its active force -- 700,000 troops, 8,000 artillery systems and 2,000 tanks -- within 90 miles of the DMZ. This percentage, Schwartz said, continues to rise.
Using a "military first" policy, North Korean leader Kim Chong-il keeps putting money into the military at the expense of the civil sector, the general said. North Korea invests 25 percent to 33 percent of its gross national product annually in the military, compared to the 3 percent the United States invests.
While North Korean citizens lack food, water, heat, clothing and medical care, Schwartz said, the military continues to reposition key offensive units, emplace anti- tank barriers and set up combat positions between Pyongyang and the DMZ. Military officials are also improving coastal defense forces, building missile support facilities and procuring air defense weapons and fighter aircraft.
Although North Korea upheld its end of a moratorium on flight-testing missiles, it continues enhancing missile capabilities, Schwartz said. North Korea's arsenal now has more than 500 Scud missiles that can threaten the entire peninsula. North Korea has reportedly sold about 450 missiles to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and others.
North Korea is producing medium-range missiles that can reach Japan and is developing multistage missiles capable of striking the United States. North Korean officials have tested the 2,000-kilometer Taepo Dong 1 and continue working on the 5,000-plus kilometer Taepo Dong 2.
In the South, Schwartz pointed out, the Republic of Korea can mobilize more than 4.5 million troops, including 54 divisions. Combined U.S.-Republic of Korean fighting assets include more than 1,500 strike aircraft, 1,000 rotary aircraft, 5,000 tracked vehicles, 3,000 tanks and 250 combat ships including four or more carrier battle groups.
"If necessary," the commander said, "this combined combat power and might can defeat a North Korean attack and destroy its military and regime. It is this power and might that strengthens our deterrence mission and ultimately provides regional security," he said.
U.S. troops have stood guard on the DMZ for more than 50 years, Schwartz noted. At any time, he said, "70 percent of the Army is either getting ready to go in, is in Korea, or just came out of Korea."
The 37,000 U.S. troops stationed in the Republic of Korea today remain trained and ready, the general stressed. They are "fit to fight and win decisively."
"The key over there right now is our presence," Schwartz concluded. When the North looks South and sees 37,000 Americans and 750,000 South Koreans, he said, they know one thing for sure: "They're not going to do anything.
"They know we're ready. They know we're together, and that's deterred war for 50 years. We're tremendously proud of that."
Story by Linda D. Kozaryn, American Forces Press Service
Date Taken: | 04.02.2001 |
Date Posted: | 07.03.2025 23:11 |
Story ID: | 526288 |
Location: | WASHINGTON, US |
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