Combined Forces Command “agreed in late 2003 to establish OPLAN 5029, which is in preparation for sudden change in North Korea,” a military source said. “I understand the gist of the plan is five scenarios." They are the collapse of the North Korean regime in a coup or the like, large-scale disturbances in North Korea, mass defection, preventing weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of rebels, and humanitarian operations following a huge natural disaster in the North.

The fact that the five scenarios include plans to stop rebels from seizing WMDs like nuclear or biological weapons and humanitarian operations following natural disasters is drawing attention.

But in yet another bone of contention between the allies, the NSC wants the plan suspended. The NSC said in a press release it was told by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in December that Combined Forces Command was promoting OPLAN 5029, “and after consultations with relevant bureaus, it concluded it was necessary to suspend the promotion of the operational plan.” Operational plans are usually considered the exclusive domain of the military, with almost no involvement from the NSC or other outside bodies.

The NSC and Defense Ministry say the contingency plan deals with things it is “inappropriate for Korean and U.S. military authorities to promote,” since several articles in the plan could infringe on South Korean sovereignty. The Defense Ministry said the NSC conveyed this to the CFC and is negotiating with the U.S. military.

The U.S. is unhappy since it says drawing up OPLAN 5029 was already agreed between two countries’ respective joint chiefs of staff in 2003. It insists there is a need for concrete military contingency plans in the event of sudden changes in North Korea.

(englishnews@chosun.com )