<Background and Purpose>

To analyze the US integrated deterrence policy against China and its implications for the ROK-US alliance

   ◎ The US has been increasingly emphasizing 'integrated deterrence' as a core concept of its defense strategy and projecting it onto its China policy

   ◎ The ROK must set its course of action based on the careful examination of the concept's implications for the ROK-US alliance

 <Research Results>

Analyzed recent developments in the US establishment of 'integrated deterrence' against China, and presented its policy implications as well as the directions for the ROK's response

   ◎ The US defense authority has endeavored to establish 'integrated deterrence' against China, setting its direction at various levels of the national strategy

       - In line with the national security strategy stressing a whole-of-government approach, the US aims to ramp up its own deterrence capabilities while building integrated deterrence encompassing various capacities of allies and partners

       - The US military deterrence is based on the integrated operation of 'deterrence by denial' and 'deterrence by retaliation' approaches, such as nuclear power, missile defense, as well as conventional capabilities

       - Washington's endeavor aims to offset China's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) system, mainly through simultaneous and integrated operation of all-domain capabilities as well as the global integration of its military operations

   ◎ The implications of the concept ('integrated deterrence') must be factored in as Seoul plans for its future course of action

       - Regarding the system integration of the ROK-US alliance, a response strategy should be formulated taking into account the possible argument for the integration of the Command & Control systems and missile defense systems

       - The response strategy should be able to address the issues of reinforcing the USFK’s ground-based firepower system as well as its strategic flexibility

       - Given shared responsibility for the security of the Korean Peninsula, the ROK and US must establish integrated deterrence which is founded upon the alliance.