Guest Editorial Writer. ROK Military Academy Class 40

We are facing complex crises that we have never experienced before. The security of the Republic of Korea cannot be guaranteed merely by increasing defense budgets, introducing state-of-the-art weapons, or conducting high-level combined military exercises. The military must engage in a wise battle against the North Korean regime—our present-day enemy—as well as the "Unrestricted Warfare" (超限戰) waged by the Chinese Communist Party—a new, invisible form of war—and against toxic politics that treats the military as a tool for partisan strife.

To overcome this, the military must defeat three enemies on "three fronts": the war against the North Korean regime, which is the traditional threat; the invisible "unrestricted warfare" waged by the Chinese Communist Party, which, though not formally classified as an enemy, is more persistent than any foe; and the war against internal enemies who are dismantling the liberal democratic system. We must face these three fronts and enemies that are silently eroding the foundations of our security, devise flexible and powerful strategies to turn crises into opportunities, and seek fundamental change.

1. Strategy to Neutralize the First Enemy: The North Korean Regime

North Korea is pursuing a new survival strategy by promoting the "two-state theory" and strengthening a "New Cold War alliance" with China and Russia. This indicates that North Korea’s behavior could become more complex and unpredictable, going beyond a mere increase in the level of threat. Under these circumstances, a peace policy that clings to dialogue with the North, essentially offering a live chicken to receive a dead one in return, could further narrow our security and diplomatic footing. We must accurately understand the core desire of the North Korean system—"control and survival"—and adopt a wise approach that leverages this understanding.

No matter what carrots are offered, North Korea will never abandon its nuclear weapons. While exercising strong military deterrence and solidifying security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, it is crucial to analyze North Korea's intentions carefully and flexibly utilize a complex mix of diplomatic, psychological, and economic tools. We need a dual-track strategy that adheres to a "carrots and sticks" policy—where international sanctions are eased only as North Korea changes—while simultaneously continuing humanitarian aid to improve the human rights of the North Korean people.

The U.S. Department of Defense's new National Defense Strategy prioritizes the containment of China and Russia and signals a shift in the role of U.S. Forces Korea. This requires more than just a repositioning of military power; it demands that South Korea achieve strategic self-reliance and prepare for the ROK military to take full responsibility for North Korea. By moving away from an over-reliance on the "absolute alliance" and enhancing our total national capability through building autonomous defense systems, promoting the integration of military and civilian technologies, diversifying advanced technology alliances, and engaging in omnidirectional multidimensional diplomacy, we can turn this into a golden opportunity to establish ourselves as a leading actor in the global security order.

2. Strategy to Neutralize the Second Enemy: The Chinese Communist Party

The Chinese Communist Party, a thousand-year adversary, invaded the Korean Peninsula in October 1950, illegally intervening in the war to devastate the Republic of Korea and block the unification of the North and South. After sacrificing vast numbers of troops to ravage our land, they still refuse to apologize and continue to threaten South Korea’s sovereignty through the Northeast Project, retaliation over THAAD, unauthorized entries into the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), and the installation of structures within our Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ).

Chinese illegal fishing vessels continuously violate South Korea’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), infringing upon our sovereignty. The illegal fishing fleets that resist our Coast Guard with iron bars and weapons during crackdowns near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) are likely not mere fishermen, but maritime militias that have received military training. This is a quasi-military infiltration attempt disguised as fishing activity, and it constitutes an act of "unrestricted warfare" that encroaches upon our territory.

Unrestricted warfare is being applied to areas far beyond the military, including politics, the economy, and culture. Confucius Institutes, which first appeared in South Korea in 2004, ostensibly promote education and cultural exchange, but they serve as tools to expand the CCP’s soft power, propagate the party’s political stance, and monitor Chinese students abroad. This cultural infiltration is deepening long-term dependency.

The CCP’s theft of core technologies from South Korea’s major corporations and defense firms through cyber infiltration, and their use of online comment brigades and fake media to stir up public opinion, foment social conflict, and drive a wedge between the military and the people, are clear attempts to weaken our national security resolve and disintegrate the nation from within. We must continue efforts to clarify historical truths and demand accountability for the CCP’s actions, from its intervention in the Korean War to its modern-day unrestricted warfare. If the CCP continues to harbor ambitions to encroach upon the Korean Peninsula, we must be prepared to hasten its downfall by severing diplomatic ties—a step where China stands to lose more than we do.

3. The Third Enemy: Eradicating Politicians Who Subordinate Themselves to the North and China and Destroy Security Systems

While North Korea’s military capabilities and internal repression are visibly intensifying, some politicians turn a blind eye to external threats and treat the military as a tool for political fighting, creating chaos and conflict. Their descent seems endless.

I am appalled by attempts to frame military operations as treason through special prosecutors, debates over the transfer of Wartime Operational Control (OPCON) that would prevent automatic U.S. intervention in an emergency, the dismantling of the Defense Security Command, the creation of manuals on military disobedience, the discarding of military library collections, and the disparaging of pro-security voices as "fake news"—all of which are attempts to undermine the core institutions and spirit of national security.

If even the military becomes politicized and acts with an eye toward power, institutional mechanisms meant to ensure political neutrality become meaningless. When the fundamental principles of national security and military decisions are swayed by the interests of political factions, the military leadership commits treasonous acts of surrender, such as the September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement. The history of security destruction is there for all to see.

The military needs a decision-making system that speaks the truth to protect itself, and courageous soldiers like John Singlaub, who opposed the withdrawal of U.S. troops during the Carter administration. The newly appointed military leadership must grasp the gravity of the total security crisis and dedicate themselves to national defense without concern for political power. If the military leadership possesses courage and conscience, I hope they will reflect on the historical lesson of South Vietnam, which collapsed due to the separation of the military and the people caused by toxic politics, internal division, and the unchecked presence of spies.