The Modernisation of the Republic of Korea Navy : Seapower, Strategy and Politics

This book sheds light on one of the most under-studied but powerful navies in the world. Using a multifaceted approach, it examines how the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has sought to transform itself from a coastal naval force focused solely on deterring North Korea to a navy capable of operating in the blue waters of East Asia and beyond. The project argues that peninsular and regional security dynamics, technological developments, the US-South Korea alliance and internal politics combine to inform and shape ROKN modernisation. Ian Bowers is Associate Professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, Oslo, Norway.-- Provided by publisher Acknowledgements 7 Contents 9 About the Author 10 Abbreviations 11 List of Figures 15 List of Tables 16 Note on Transliteration 17 Chapter 1 Introduction 18 What Is Blue-Water Modernisation? 19 South Korea and the Sea 24 Seapower and East Asia 28 The Structure of the Book 33 Chapter 2 North Korea and Deterrence at Sea 40 Operational Geography 42 Surface Clashes & Superiority 46 The Maintenance of Deterrence 49 KPN Surface Capabilities 50 KPN Submarine Capabilities 52 KPN Amphibious Capabilities 54 New Deterrent Roles 57 Wartime Missions 59 Conclusion 61 Chapter 3 To the Blue-Water 68 New Threats 69 Deterrence in a Tough Neighbourhood 73 SLOC Protection 81 The ROKN and South Korean Foreign Policy 84 Finding the Balance 86 Conclusion 89 Chapter 4 Force Modernisation and Integration 97 Nature of Modernisation 98 Sources of Modernisation 100 Surface Fleet Modernisation 101 The FFX Program 104 The PKX Program 106 Amphibious Program 106 Mine Warfare 108 Auxiliaries 109 The Submarine Program 109 Aviation 111 Structure 112 Training 115 Conclusion 117 Chapter 5 The United States and the ROKN 125 Post-Korean War and Reliance 126 Understanding the US Approach 128 A Changing Relationship? 129 The Yulgok Program 133 Funding 134 The ROKN and the Yulgok Program 135 A New Relationship 139 Conclusion 145 Chapter 6 Creating a Naval Identity 156 Naval Identity and Why It Matters 157 History and Identity: Placing the ROKN 159 Exploiting History 160 The ROKN and Ship Names 163 Public Presentation 167 Capturing the Debate 169 Conclusion 171 Chapter 7 Politics, Strategy and Naval Modernisation 179 The Role of the Executive 180 The Transformative Effect of Kim Young-sam (1993–1998) 181 The Control of the Generals 181 Depoliticisation 182 Globalisation and the ROKN 184 Change and Continuity Under Kim Dae-jung (1998–2003) 185 Defence Policy 186 A New ROKN 188 Roh Moo-hyun and Defense Reform 2020 (2003–2008) 190 An Independent Approach 191 Defence Reform 2020 and the ROKN 193 Lee Myung-bak and a Change in Direction (2008–2013) 195 Conclusion 198 Chapter 8 Conclusion 206 Threat and Strategy 207 Naval Power as a Response 210 Alliances, Identity and Politics 211 Problems and Opportunities 214 Select Bibliography 218 Index 246 Front Matter ....Pages i-xxi Introduction (Ian Bowers)....Pages 1-22 North Korea and Deterrence at Sea (Ian Bowers)....Pages 23-50 To the Blue-Water (Ian Bowers)....Pages 51-79 Force Modernisation and Integration (Ian Bowers)....Pages 81-108 The United States and the ROKN (Ian Bowers)....Pages 109-139 Creating a Naval Identity (Ian Bowers)....Pages 141-163 Politics, Strategy and Naval Modernisation (Ian Bowers)....Pages 165-191 Conclusion (Ian Bowers)....Pages 193-204 Back Matter ....Pages 205-239