U.S. to keep `nuclear umbrella` after 2012

The commander of the United States troops here yesterday stressed that Washington will continue to offer South Korea protection under its nuclear umbrella after the 2012 transfer of wartime operational control.

"The Mutual Defense Treaty will remain effective," said Gen. Walter Sharp, who also heads the Combined Forces Command over the two allied militaries. He was speaking at a forum on the future role of the U.S. troops and the direction of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

The commander stressed that the United States and South Korean militaries, although separated after the April 2012 transfer, will continue to operate according to one military operation plan, and not two.

There have been lingering concerns that the alliance with Washington may weaken after wartime operational control is transferred from the United States to South Korea.

The commander also was confident that the allied militaries are capable of meeting any contingency rising from North Korea, as they are already training for such situations.

He said Operation Plan 5029, a military plan to face North Korean contingencies including provocations, is in place to keep the South stable and secure.

The North has remained opposed to OPLAN 5029, calling it a scheme to topple its regime.

Sharp said the U.S.-South Korea alliance has actually become stronger following North Korea`s controversial rocket launch on April 5.

"With that launch, the alliance is stronger today than before the launch. We practice on a daily basis on how to prepare for any type of crisis on the peninsula," the commander said.

The North has accused the two allies militaries of preparing preemptive strikes during the latest Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise.

Pyongyang closed down the inter-Korean border several times last month to protest the joint training session.

There is a 28,500-strong U.S. military presence here to help deter war. The troops have been pared following Washington`s new policies to reorganize its global forces.

By Kim Ji-hyun



(jemmie@heraldm.com)