The first United States-Republic of Korea Special Operations Commanders’ Conference will bring together commanders from the South Korean Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps special operations forces and their counterparts from the U.S. Special Operations Command Korea. This marks the first time such a meeting has been convened. The primary role of these forces, including the Army Special Forces, is to conduct deep penetration strikes into the enemy’s heartland and target command centers during wartime.
According to several Korean government officials on May 13, the Ministry of National Defense of Korea plans to host this meeting of special operations commanders later this month led by Minister Shin Won-sik.
“It’s highly unusual for the special forces commanders from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to come together, and particularly rare for the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command Korea to participate,” a Ministry of National Defense official said.
The agenda for the meeting is broad, focusing on the planning and operationalization of joint and combined operations among Army Special Forces, Navy UDTs, Air Force CCTs, and U.S. Special Operations Command Korea. The discussions are expected to center on how offensive special operations could act as a deterrent against North Korea. Key topics include enhancements in manpower, equipment, and training innovations aimed at elevating the ROK’s special warfare forces to global standards. The U.S. Special Operations Command Korea is expected to offer valuable insights and advice from their extensive field experience.
Additionally, there will be discussions about establishing a joint special operations command. Unlike the U.S. military, which operates under a unified Special Operations Command (SOCOM) overseeing all special operations, the Korean military currently lacks such a centralized body. The Army’s Special Warfare Command and the Navy’s Special Warfare Squadron handle peacetime command and training independently, leading to concerns about insufficient coordination among the forces.
This initiative aligns with President Yoon Suk-yeol and Defense Minister Shin’s ‘peace through strength’ strategy, which posits that enhancing special warfare capabilities—viewed as threatening by North Korea’s leadership—can effectively deter North Korean provocations.
“The South Korean military, often criticized for its ‘vigilant operation, groundism,’ has seen increasing calls for enhancing offensive capabilities that can intimidate the enemy, rather than merely defending,” said a military official.
Shin Jong-woo, a researcher at the Korea Defence and Security Forum (KODEF), said, “Special warfare forces, like nuclear weapons, represent a form of ‘asymmetric power.’ An integrated operation of these forces by the U.S. would significantly strengthen deterrence against North Korea.” Indeed, the U.S. Special Operations Command Korea’s annual Exercise Teak Knife, aimed at neutralizing enemy leadership, is reputedly one of North Korea’s most dreaded drills.
