Korean Military Research Articles

Electronic Warfare Theory and Strategy: Focusing on the Threat of North Korea’s Electronic Warfare

Purpose: The importance of electronic warfare in modern warfare is increasing day by day. In particular, North Korea has a relative weakness of conventional weapons systems, and has focused on developing asymmetric weapons systems and electronic warfare as a way to overcome them. North Korea is currently expected to further expand its application to some aircraft and guided weapons operations under satellite navigation systems such as GPS, GLONASS, COMPASS and Beidou.
 Method: This study studied the prior theory of electronic warfare at home and abroad. Prior research examined the military doctrines of the United States and trends in Europe. In particular, I studied the doctrines of the United States Joint Navigation Center (Navigation Warfare Center, JNWC) and the Education Command. Based on these prior research materials and literature reviews, I wanted to specifically review North Korea's electronic warfare cases and present our response in terms of legal and institutional aspects.
 Results: The South Korean military should recognize the importance of navigation warfare (part of electronic warfare) that protects our troops' location, navigation and square information so that they can be used without interruption, prevent the enemy's use of related information, and ensure the peaceful use of such information outside the light bulb In addition, we need to build an electronic warfare simulator and continue to promote training based on various scenarios.
 Conclusion: Efforts to train and support professionals are urgently needed. In parallel with these efforts, joint efforts to develop electronic technologies between the civilian and military should be preceded. To win a high-tech war in the 21st century, it is essential, among other things, to have precision weapons and original electronic warfare support capabilities. In addition, it is necessary to foster R&D and defense companies to secure domestic technology.

Factors associated with myopia in 19-year-old adult men in Korea between 2014 and 2020

Numerous environmental factors that influence myopia have been studied, but only few factors have been definitively identified. We examined factors influencing myopia using data from 2014 to 2020 physical examinations received from the Korean Military Manpower Administration. We used the Cochran–Armitage trend test to investigate the annual prevalence of myopia and high myopia. To determine risk factors for myopia, logistic regression was performed. The data of 2,215,126 19-year-old Korean men were examined. The myopia and high myopia prevalences showed significant annual increases; in 2020, these prevalences were 58.9% and 18.0%, respectively. The myopia prevalence was high when the birth season was spring, education level was high, height was small, weight and body mass index (BMI) were low (< 18.5 kg/m2), and color vision was normal (all, p < 0.05). The high myopia prevalence was high when the birth season was spring, education level was high, height was tall, weight and BMI were low (< 18.5 kg/m2), and color vision was normal (all, p < 0.05). The prevalence of myopia and high myopia in this population is increasing annually. The risk of both conditions increased when the birth season was spring, education level was high, BMI was low, color vision was normal, and diabetes was present.

A Study on the Feasibility of Changing ROK Military Service System

Due to the absolute shortage of future military personnel and the recent calls for defense reform, the transition of the military service system is recognized as an essential change that must be implemented at some point. Therefore, this study analyzed the cases of military service conversion in other countries, focusing on the social environment, security environment, and the size of military resources, to evaluate the possibility of conversion to a new military service system that has been raised in South Korean society recently. To do so, we first analyzed the current situation of the South Korean military and presented the advantages and disadvantages of the hybrid system and the volunteer system as possible future military service systems. Next, we covered issues related to the transition of the military service system from the demographic, economic, and socio-political dimensions and suggested ways to improve the Korean military service system.

저궤도위성통신 중심의 군 통합네트워크 운영개념과 운영효과도 분석

In this study, an operational concept for an integrated military network required by the Korean military for future battlefield environments is proposed. It is centered on low Earth orbit(LEO) satellite communication. The proposed operational concept is to integrate the existing geostationary satellite network and terrestrial network into the LEO satellite network, with a focus on the latter. A simulation of network traffic considering future operational environments is performed to analyze the operational effectiveness of the proposed integrated military network. Results confirmed that the integrated network is more effective in terms of network traffic than when operating the existing terrestrial network and LEO satellite network as separate networks.

한국의 베트남 전쟁 공공기억과 민간기억의 담론 갈등

Why are war-related public collective memory and private collective memory inconsistent? This study attempts a political analysis of the process of memory competence surrounding the Vietnam War, as the issue of the massacre of Vietnamese civilians by the Korean military was raised by domestic civic groups in 1999. Memories that were omitted or excluded in the process of placing memories in the history of each country gradually created cracks. Regarding the crack in war memories in the 1990s, this study focuses on the emergence of a new memory entrepreneur called ‘civic group’. This study proposes a structure of memory, and based on this, provides a political perspective on the dynamics that occur between public collective memory and private collective memory.

The Input-Output Analysis for Improving the Accuracy of Korean Military Fuel Budget

Managing the “raw material supply chain crisis” is important in entire Korean industrial ecosystem. Especially, acquiring fuel is crucial for the military, and the budget that can purchase fuel is in the five-year defense plan (FYDP). This paper investigates the problem of planning the fuel budget of FYDP. Also, we present an example of a simulation that can support the uncertainty of FYDP and predict the future fuel budget with input-output analysis. As a result, the FYDP from 2022 to 2026 differed by -3% to 20% by year compared to the current set amount. In addition, the budget requirement for 2027 could be predicted in the range of 6,672.2 to 7,300.5. This study gives great insights for policymakers to focus on the identified budget model for securing the resilience and stability of logistics.

Prevalence of Neuromuscular Diseases in Young South Korean Males; A Korean Military Manpower Administration Data-Based Study.

All young males in South Korea must undergo a physical examination for their participation in military service. We aimed to determine the prevalence rate (PR) of various neuromuscular diseases in young South Korean males using the data of exempted patients and soldiers. The number of males exempted based on specific items of physical examination corresponding to neuromuscular disease during 2011-2020 were obtained from the records of the Military Manpower Administration. The list of enlisted soldier patients who were discharged from military service due to neuromuscular diseases during 2011-2020 was obtained from the Armed Forces Medical Command, and their medical records were reviewed. The PR of neuromuscular diseases was calculated among 948 identified males: 713 exempted males and 235 soldiers. The PRs of overall hereditary neuropathies, Hirayama disease (HD), myasthenia gravis (MG), and inherited muscle diseases in South Korean males in their early 20s were 8.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.39-9.30), 5.54 (95% CI, 4.76-6.32), 2.97 (95% CI, 2.40-3.55), and 10.38 (95% CI, 9.31-11.46) per 100,000 persons, respectively. Among the enlisted soldiers, hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy was the most common neuromuscular disease, with a prevalence among the enlisted soldiers of 3.11 (95% CI, 2.42-3.80) per 100,000 persons. Myotonic dystrophy was the most prevalent myopathy, followed by facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. The 10-year PRs of hereditary polyneuropathies, HD, MG, and inherited muscle diseases in young South Korean males have been reported. These data could be valuable to understanding each neuromuscular disease in the young male population of South Korea.

선도 기술 적용을 위한 한국군 무기체계 소요기획 발전방향 연구 : 기술주도, 기술견인, 수요주도, 수요견인을 중심으로

In the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the current Korean military's demand planning and weapon system acquisition method was suggest to improve measures for cutting-edge technology applied weapon system. Currently, the problem of the Korean military weapon system acquisition system is the demand-oriented planning and acquiring. The demand-oriented weapon system has the advantage of securing the weapon system that the military needs, but it lacks flexibility considering the shortened life-cycle of technology and changes in the security environment. In particular, more innovative planning is needed to solve the problems of troop reduction and insufficient quantitative and qualitative military power compared to neighbor countries. To do so, it is essential to secure a qualitative advantage by developing leading technologies and securing a weapon system to which leading technologies are applied. In this study, demand-push, demand-pull, technology-push, and technology-pull frameworks, which are methods of market innovation, were introduced to analyze military's planning and acquiring weapon systems. A theoretical framework was presented so that the weapon system planning and acquisition methods could be classified and analyzed in more detail. In addition, an institutions were proposed to develop future weapon system with leading technologies.

Instrument development for measuring determinants in defense R&amp;D policy

The Korean military's defense research and development (R&amp;D) policy was often shortsighted because of environmental changes, such as the Korea–U.S. alliance, security policies under the regime, and limited budgets. In addition, there was a lack of prior research focusing on identifying the determinants of defense R&amp;D policy, making it difficult for stakeholders in defense R&amp;D policies to determine the appropriateness or validity of decision making. To this end, the purpose of the present study was to suggest a basic reference for defense R&amp;D decision making through the conceptualization of determinants in defense R&amp;D policy and development of measurement items. For this, we developed operational definitions of influencing factors and preliminary items related to defense R&amp;D policy decisions, considering the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. To test reliability and validity, we performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses based on discussions with experts. The results show a six-factor structure (security policy, defense posture, technological ambition, dominant and shifting paradigm, science and technology, industry knowledge base, and resources) and 24 items. It is concluded that the use of questionnaire results might better reflect multiple aspects of decision making in defense R&amp;D policy. Future studies need to elaborate on the measurement indicators for defense R&amp;D policy determinants and theorize on policy directions according to changes in future defense and private technology development.

Interpreting Empire: English, U.S. Advisors, and Interpreters in the Korean War

Abstract The Korean Military Advisory Group (kmag) – a relatively small unit of U.S. Army officers – developed, advised, and exerted influence over the Republic of Korea (rok) Army from its inception in 1946 through the signing of the Korean War armistice in July 1953. kmag advisors served down to the battalion level, working alongside South Korean counterparts in rok Army units, causing language to be a crucial battlefield that animated American anxieties and negative racial assumptions. In a moment when few, if any, American military officers had Korean language proficiency, South Koreans with English-language capability became essential to the U.S. foreign policy project in South Korea. South Korean interpreters, too, amplified racialized concerns about the trustworthiness of rok soldiers. This article places American understandings of language in kmag affairs into critical focus, highlighting the cultural assumptions that came to effect material change in U.S. Army policy towards the rok Army before and during the Korean War. It shows how language was a means of U.S. penetration into the fabric of Korean state and society, but also a target of imaginations that disturbed the U.S. military because of its consistent reminder of how language could resist American suggestion.

Mission-Based Cybersecurity Test and Evaluation of Weapon Systems in Association with Risk Management Framework

With the advancement of information technology (IT), the importance of cyber security is increasing because of the expansion of software utilization in the development of weapon systems. Civilian embedded systems and military weapon systems have cybersecurity-related symmetry that can increase vulnerabilities in the process of advanced information technology. Many countries, including the United States, are exploring ways to improve cybersecurity throughout the lifecycle of a weapon system. The South Korean military is applying the U.S. standard risk management framework (RMF) to some weapon systems to improve cybersecurity, but the need for a model that is more suitable for the South Korean military has been emphasized. This paper presents the results of a mission-based cybersecurity test, along with an evaluation model that can be applied to South Korean military weapon systems in parallel with the RMF. This study first examined the related international research trends, and proposed a test and evaluation method that could be utilized with the RMF throughout the entire life cycle of a weapon system. The weapon system was divided into asset, function, operational task, and mission layers based on the mission, and a mutually complementary model was proposed by linking the RMF and cybersecurity test and evaluation according to the domestic situation. In order to verify the proposed cybersecurity test and evaluation model, a simulation was developed and performed targeting the Close Air Support (CAS) mission support system, which is a virtual weapon system. In this simulation, the nodes performances by layer before and after a cyberattack were calculated, and the vulnerabilities and protection measures identified in the cyber security test and evaluation were quantified. This simulation made it possible to evaluate and derive protection measures in consideration of mission performance. It is believed that the proposed model could be used with some modifications, depending on the circumstances of each country developing weapon systems in the future.

Automatic Cause–Effect Graph Tool with Informal Korean Requirement Specifications

In requirement engineering, it is a very important issue to generate test cases with natural language automatically. However, no test case tools deal with informal Korean requirement specifications. In the Korean military software system and airspace industrial area, it is strongly suggested to automatically make just 30% of all possible test cases with requirements. Unlike the previous approaches, we adapted Gary E. Mogyorodi’s cause-effect graphing approach and the model-driven architecture (MDA) approach for automatic test case generation with natural language. In order to generate test cases with informal Korean requirement specifications, we propose an automatic cause–effect tool as an intermediate model for (1) simplifying complicated requirements; (2) modeling the C3Tree (that is, condition and result); (3) identifying incomplete requirements; (4) constructing causes, effects, and relationships; and (5) integrating with two units (that is, similar causes or effects) to remove redundant requirements. We evaluated the accuracy of two generated cause–effect graphs in two ways. With our approach, we can also remove requirement redundancy.

Association of Dietary Behaviors with Poor Sleep Quality and Increased Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Korean Military Service Members.

PurposeSleep quality among military service members is important for enhancing their capabilities and preventing psychiatric problems. We aimed to explore the association of dietary behaviors with poor sleep quality and increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in military men on active duty.Patients and MethodsA large-scale multi-site cross-sectional survey was conducted in five units of the Republic of Korea’s army. Poor sleep quality and increased risk of OSA were defined using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Berlin Questionnaire, respectively. Information on dietary behaviors, including the frequency of skipping breakfast, eating snacks, consuming a night meal, and overeating, were collected.ResultsFrom August 2021 to September 2021, 4389 male respondents, mean age (20.8 ± 1.3 years), completed the survey; 2579 (58.8%) were assessed as having poor sleep quality, and 614 (14.0%) increased risk of OSA. After adjusting for lifestyle and occupational covariates, skipping breakfast 1–2 times weekly was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing poor sleep quality, compared with not skipping breakfast (odds ratio: 1.23 [95% CI 1.02–1.47]). Eating night meals 5–6 times weekly was also associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio: 5.54 [95% CI 2.49–14.18]). In addition, skipping breakfast daily (odds ratio: 2.28 [95% CI 1.27–4.03]) and eating night meals daily (odds ratio: 2.30 [95% CI 1.21–4.22]) were related to an increased risk of OSA.ConclusionDietary behaviors appear to be related to poor sleep quality and a high risk of OSA. To improve sleep quality, dietary factors could be considered when promoting health programs for military personnel in further research.

한국 군 부사관의 바람직한 역할에 관한 연구

As the youth population decreased, changes occurred in the current military structure. It is expected that the youth population will continue to decline in the future. The period of military service has also been significantly reduced compared to the past. 18 months in the Army, 20 months in the Navy, and 21 months in the Air Force. As the military structure changes, the period of service and the number of soldiers change, the role of the non-commissioned officer in the South Korean military becomes more significant and emphasized. This is because non-commissioned officers serve for a long period of time in one unit. Korea is in the most difficult geopolitical position in East Asia. China, Russia, Japan and North Korea are adjacent, and the military power of these countries is very strong and is constantly being upgraded. South Korea must build solid security based on its strong national defense capabilities. NCOs must play an officer-like role between commanders and soldiers in order to maintain combat power in the changing military force situation. As the military structure changes, the period of service and the number of soldiers change, the role of the non-commissioned officer in the South Korean military becomes more significant and emphasized.

신흥안보위협과 군의 과제

Since the end of the Cold War, the concept of security has evolved to encompass human and social communities. In today’s complex networks era, emerging security threats such as cyber attacks, infectious diseases, climate change, and refugees are becoming one of major topics of security research. The military has dealt with these issues with the concept of non-traditional security so far, but it is necessary to more actively develop response capabilities and systems, with the concept of emerging security. Recently, military forces of European countries and the U.S. have developed their capabilities to deal with emerging security threats. The Korean military also made good progress in supporting the prevention COVID-19 and rescuing refugees from Afghanistan. However, there are still cases in which responding to emerging security threats is misunderstood as public support activities unrelated to security. In order to enhance the ability to respond to emerging security threats, the military should consider a meta-governance approach that comprehensively views various issue areas. The military should develop logical and legal causes for military’s role in responding to emerging security threats and consider not only crisis management but also preparation for future “X-events.” It is also necessary to develop a comprehensive civil-military coordination mechanism and expand international cooperation through military diplomacy.

Influence of Cadet Ceremony on the Korean Military Cadets' IDENTITY

Purpose: The purposes of this study are, first, to investigate the effect of ceremonial events and honor systems conducted by the Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon (KAAY) on the internalization of the values of cadets and cadet identity. Second, the researcher aims to derive improvement directions from the phenomenological perception and critical perspective of cadets through qualitative research.&#x0D; Method: In order to accomplish the research purposes, a common theme was derived by first examining the literature related to the cadet ceremonies and honor system of the military academies in Korea. In addition, focus group interviews were conducted with 12 cadets attending the KAAY to collect awareness of the internalization of their values and the impact of the honorary system on their identity formation. In addition, the meaning of the collected data was interpreted through content analysis, and the cadets' perception of the importance, influence, and improvement direction of ceremonial events and honor systems were analyzed.&#x0D; Results: As a result of literature review, the military academies are expected to operate similar ceremonies and honor systems, internalize honor as a core value, and form the identity of cadets who practice the honor procedures. The military academies provide various education programs to facilitate cadets to internalize the values, including honor pledge and loyalty ceremony, and those educations have a positive effect on the internalization of values and identity formation of cadets. However, there was an opinion that cadet uniforms and various ceremonies are currently maintaining the past traditions, so some improvements are needed.&#x0D; Conclusion: The ceremonies and honor systems have a positive effect on the internalization of the values of cadets and the development of the cadet identity. However, efforts to secure the uniqueness and tradition of each individual academy, as well as to share the value of human universality are also required.

Military application study of BCI technology using brain waves in Republic of Korea Army

The importance of reserve forces is increasing owing to changes in the security environment, such as the promotion of Defense Reform 2.0 and a sharp decrease in military service resources. Under these changes, we focus on combining EEG (ElectroEncephaloGraphy) with Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) for improving combat power and contributing to the future development of defense science and technology in 2050. In the study of EEG measurement technology, the alpha wave of calmness and beta wave representing the improvement of the concentration on individualized shooting skills, were measured with high accuracy in the theta wave-related research, and the value of their use was recognized. Using in the combat situations of personal firearms shooting, it can be applied in a small budget and a short period of time. Through our findings, when shooting the K-1 and K-2 rifles (the basic personal weapons in Korean military), it can contribute to improving the accuracy of existing individual’s shooting by increasing both concentration and calmness between breathing and firing control. Hence, our study show in the future warfare, the new direction of current defense science and technology and new concept of personal weapon usages in artificial intelligence based on hyper-intelligence, hyper-connectivity, and human-unmanned combat systems.

Complexity, Uncertainty and Ambiguity in Korean Military Leadership

In South Korea, being the only divided country in the world and thus being under extreme tension, the weight and the importance that the Korean military carries is surely different from those of other militaries. Under this exceptional circumstance, it is not an overstatement to say that the Korean military faces a more complex and difficult challenge than any other organization and requires a higher state of leadership. The sinking of the Cheonan navy vessel and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island on the west coast of South Korea in 2010 were opportunities to look back upon the present state of the leadership of the Korean military. Internally, the Korean military is making efforts to justify its existence, and within the military, it is trying to develop its organizational leadership that can contribute to meeting its objectives. The discussion across society centered on national defense reforms supports this notion, which tells us that reflecting on the organizational leadership to perform the roles of the military is the central task in order to shift the organizational paradigm that meets the changes of security environments surrounding south Korea and far eastern Asia. Under these circumstances, it is imperative and timely to discuss a few phenomena that hinder the development of the military leadership and to look for alternatives.

A Study on the Multi-Domain Environment and Revolution in Military Affairs of the Korean Military

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of the technology of the fourth industrial revolution on the changes in the operational environment, and present the operational employment concept and military buildup related directions of the Korean armed forces in accordance with the changed operational environment in terms of revolution in military affairs. Method: The existing studies of domestic and foreign academics on combat domain, fourth industrial revolution, revolution in military affairs, and joint operations, etc., and the literature focused on research papers published by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Army were explored. Based on which, the historical evolution process of technology and domain was examined, and after deriving the evolutionary direction of the field that the fourth industrial revolution will bring, an exploratory approach was attempted to present the joint operational concept and military buildup related direction in line with the characteristics of the new domain. Results: The impact of the fourth industrial revolution across all sectors of society is reflected in the military field as well, fundamentally changing the concept of weapon systems and military operations. The advancement of military science and technology is creating a multi-domain environment by expanding the cross domain. In such a multi-domain environment, joint operations ought to include not only the integrated operation of traditional military types, but also the integrated operation of the domain at the same time. Furthermore, it was confirmed that in order to secure cross domain capabilities appropriate for the multi-domain environment, it is necessary to review the basic concept of joint operation, develop a new paradigm for the appropriate allocation of capabilities, and set a variable point of equilibrium for efficient operation of capabilities. Conclusion: Revolution in military affairs is a process which dramatically amplifies combat effects by developing a new power system by applying the new military science and technologies, and innovatively developing and harmoniously operating joint operational concept and the organizational structures related thereto. Hence, approaching the multi-domain operation (MDO) of the US Army in terms of revolution in military affairs rather than operational aspects will offer useful implications for the Korean armed forces.

군 전역자들의 군 급식에 대한 인식조사: 대학교 급식경험과 비교하여

Food service is an important factor in the military. Accordingly, the Korean military has been continuously working to improve the quality and satisfaction of food service. As a result, there has been a lot of improvement in the quality and satisfaction of food service in recent years in comparison to the past. However, results from a recent survey by the Ministry of National Defense, revealed that further improvements were still needed in terms of satisfaction. In this study, a satisfaction survey was conducted for college students who had served in the military, and by analyzing this, important factors were defined for the improvement of military food service satisfaction. Results of the survey, indicated that the military food service satisfaction score was relatively lower than that of university food service. In order to improve the satisfaction of military food service, the authors suggest that there should be a system that allows a smooth flow of communication between military food service and the members. In addition, it is important to continously study trends in the civilian food service and apply them to the military food service.