Korean unification : a United States Army Special Forces framework for employment

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === As Korea approaches unification, the growing stability problems in the north create questions about how these problems can be approached to avoid destabilizing the peninsula upon unification. This thesis predicts and analyzes the significant...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rounsaville, Paul D
Other Authors: Olsen, Edward A.
Language:English
Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10945/8602
Description
Summary:Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === As Korea approaches unification, the growing stability problems in the north create questions about how these problems can be approached to avoid destabilizing the peninsula upon unification. This thesis predicts and analyzes the significant stability and support operations likely to confront the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army during post conflict or post unification proceedings, and presents an employment framework for United States Army Special Forces (USASF) designed to support the ROK Army's efforts. The employment framework is designed to complement a theater level strategic plan for conducting stability and support operations (SASO) in the north occurring along a suggested spectrum of unification possibilities. The framework consists of three elements: the SASO missions predicted, framework doctrinal elements, and four Korean unification scenarios. Doctrinal elements include the operations, missions, and unique roles USASF conduct during SASO. The utility of this thesis is the analysis of framework doctrinal elements in relation to the SASO missions and unification environment that may confront USASF while supporting the ROK Army in successful completion of these missions. The USASF employment framework is intended to be used as an aid for U.S. military planners at the strategic, operational and tactical levels during the deliberate planning process for post conflict or post unification operations in the north