Statement by a group of 700 S.Korean intellectuals

“Attempts to take back wartime command should be stopped”

The current government is forcibly pushing ahead with its plan to take back wartime operation control at a time when North Korea continues provocative moves such as missile launch and nuclear development, which seriously endanger peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the international community. The government plan faces strong opposition from the public including former defense ministers and security experts. The crucial issue should have been pursued based on public consensus and consultation but we are very concerned that the matter is politically motivated.

There is no doubt that we have to take independent wartime operational command some time in the future. But we now fully control peacetime operation command, Korea-US alliance is on the foundation of equal partnership based on mutual respect, and the two countries run optimal security cooperative system with strong war deterrent capability by ROK-US Combined Forces Command. The Roh government, however, politicizes the security issue in the name of ‘sovereignty’ and ‘independence.’

The on-going plan and subsequent internal division can invite North Korea’s misjudgment, serious security vacuum later and more serious public disrupt. Therefore, we hereby strongly urge the government to stop the promotion of the plan and would like to announce our position.

1. A war should not happen again on our soil. For the last 50 years since armistice, Korea-US alliance and ROK-US Combined Forces Command have served as the best war deterrent so it is very risky adventure to underestimate threats by North Korea and recklessly pursue self-defense.

2. Korea-US alliance and ROK-US Combined Forces Command should be put in place as a security ‘stronghold’ for South Korea until a new, stable international security system around the Korean peninsula is formed.

3. Sound alliance between the two countries lays the firm groundwork for Korea to enjoy freedom, human rights, democracy, and market economy. Moreover independent wartime command gives us astronomical financial burden. According to government’s data, the transfer will cost W 621 trillion by 2020, which is translated into W54 m per household. But the problem is whether we can have military capability with efficient war deterrent power even after spending that much money, and whether we can afford such a huge amount of money. It will not be late to discuss the issue after we enter the ranks of developed countries.

4. Now is not the proper time to discuss wartime command control. It will not be late to discuss the matter after North Korea, at least, abandons its nuclear program and shows its willingness to open up to the outside world and to build peace between the two Koreas. Right now we should, more than any other things, strengthen Korea-US alliance. If the government continues its plan, we can face serious crisis where nobody can guarantee national security and lives and wealth of people. Korea is not ready for this.

September 5, 2006