S. Korean JCS transforms in step with changing alliance with U.S.

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)
announced its plan Tuesday to set up a new high-level command dedicated to
developing war strategies as it moves to assume greater operational control over
its armed forces.
The plan, which will take effect starting Wednesday, comes as a result of a South
Korea-U.S. agreement to return the wartime control of South Korea's 655,000
troops from Washington to Seoul by 2012.
The U.S. has held wartime command of the South Korean troops since the beginning
of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed here as a deterrent against North Korea's
1.2-million-strong military.
The U.S. returned the peacetime control to South Korea in 1994. Amid concerns it
may weaken the joint combat capabilities against North Korea, the leaders of the
two countries agreed three years ago to place the wartime control back in the
hands of Seoul in April 2012.
Reflecting on the growing need to develop its own operational schemes, the JCS
said Tuesday it has decided to set up a new command aimed at independently
examining and developing warfighting capabilities, combat strategies and
exercises.
The unit replaces a personnel and supply management command, Col. Jun Seong-tae
told reporters, adding it will become one of the three high-level JCS offices led
by lieutenant generals.
"Further reorganization may take place in the future as we train and test our
independent abilities under the new structure," Jun said, adding another round of
reorganization is likely in 2011, the year before the full transfer of
operational control.
samkim@yna.co.kr