South Korea's defense white paper stops calling North Korea an "enemy"

The area leading to the demilitarized zone separating South Korea and North Korea. Photo: Reuters

In its biennial 2018 document, the South Korean Defense Ministry also deleted phrases considered provocative, such as North Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), a plan to deprive North Korea of ​​its leadership in a large-scale conflict, as well as the Kill Chain plan to detect and deter a North Korean nuclear attack.

The South Korean Defense White Paper, published in both hard and soft copies, comes at a time when Seoul is pushing for confidence-building and arms control measures with Pyongyang in hopes of accelerating the goal of creating lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

In this latest Defense White Paper, the term “enemy” is still used, but it refers to a broader national security threat. The South Korean Defense Ministry stated: “The term enemy is described as a concept that includes not only the threat from North Korea but also non-military and transnational threats, as well as potential threats that are growing.

The White Paper also stated that Seoul will make thorough preparations for all scenarios, including dealing with North Korea's weapons of mass destruction while considering promoting cross-border relations through efforts to reduce tensions and build trust following three inter-Korean summits in 2018.

However, the removal of the anti-Pyongyang phrase has raised concerns, mostly among conservative politicians, who say it could weaken South Korea's defense posture by gradually eroding military morale and discipline, while North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities remain unchanged.

The latest white paper also describes a series of significant changes in the North Korean military. Regarding North Korea's nuclear arsenal, the white paper gives a similar assessment as in 2016. Pyongyang is estimated to possess 50 kg of weapons-grade plutonium and a significant amount of highly enriched uranium.

In addition, North Korea's nuclear capabilities have increased through six nuclear tests since 2006 and its nuclear warhead miniaturization technology has reached a significant level.

North Korea has also developed or currently possesses 14 types of ballistic missiles with various ranges, including the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of about 10,000 km.

North Korea's military numbers also far exceed those of South Korea, with 1.28 million active military personnel, nearly double South Korea's 599,000. The White Paper also notes that North Korea is working to build up its artillery capabilities.

While there has been no significant change in Pyongyang's naval capabilities, the country appears to be building a 2,500-ton Gorae-class submarine capable of carrying a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

Referring to Pyongyang's military strategy, the White Paper raised the possibility that North Korea could resort to "asymmetric" military forces to conduct surprise attacks to strengthen favorable combat conditions for the country in case an armed conflict breaks out./.