Countering North Korean Special Purpose Forces: Vast Tunnel Network, Infiltration, Amphibious and Airborne Approaches, DPRK Submarines, Apache Attack Helicopters to the Rescue

As United States and Republic of Korea forces stand to defend against a DPRK attack, one of the most formidable tasks is how to counter a second front in the Joint Rear Security Area of the Republic of Korea. North Korea has a robust and diverse special operations force capability, their "Special Purpose Forces.' With nearly 104,000 soldiers committed to these daring tactics and operations, the United States and the Republic of Korea must be vigilant and innovative to protect their forces from such attacks. The principal mission of the North Korean Special Purpose Forces is to infiltrate into the enemies rear area and conduct short duration raids. Their most dangerous avenue of approach for their forces includes amphibious approaches, airborne infiltration and the use of a vast tunnel network. How would the North carry out such an attack against such formidable foes? Will they use special operation's type forces to disrupt the South in their rear areas? How would they move their forces into South Korea? What solutions does the United States and the Republic of Korea have to solve this problem and which one is the best? This analysis examines the various methods the United States and the Republic of Korea will use to counter the North Korean Special Purpose Forces today and in the future.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COUNTERING THE NORTH KOREA SPECIAL PURPOSE FORCES THREAT * History * Geography * Weather * Population * Infrastructure * Fielded Forces * NORTH KOREA'S SPECIAL PURPOSE FORCES * Typical Missions * A Word On Tunnels * Airborne Forces * Reconnaissance Brigades * Light Infantry * Maritime Special Purpose Forces * Stealth Ships * DPRK's Submarines * Amphibious Light Infantry Brigades * COUNTERMEASURES * Target Detection is the Key * Mines and Anti-Ship Missiles * Fixed Wing Attack Fighters * AC-130 Spectre Gunships * Navy Surface Combatants * U.S and ROK Submarines * Naval Air Power * JOINT REAR AREA OPERATIONS * Homeland Reserve Forces * Civil Defense Corps * Role of the HRF and CDC in Response to Maritime Attack * Base Defense * AH-64 APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO THE RESCUE * Missions * Destroy the Weapon's Platforms * Attacking the Maritime SOF Threat - A Joint Approach * Command, Control, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) * Battle Damage Assessment * Safeguards * Training and Equipment Issues * CONCLUSION * GLOSSARY

According to Joseph Bermudez, North Korea's (DPRK) Special Purpose Forces (SPF) are poised to infiltrate into South Korea and disrupt the Combined Forces Command of South Korea's rear area operations. They will attempt to destroy or capture soft targets such as Army logistics bases and Air Force bases. This force is capable of massing and appearing anywhere if hostilities recommence between the two Koreas. With over 104,000 elite soldiers, these soldiers can arrive on the battlefield by hovercraft, helicopter, light planes and parachutes, tunnels, submarines, and by boat. Countermeasures such as those found in joint doctrine and/or adaptive planning may be the key to countering this threat. Historical perspective, doctrine, training and vigilance remain the tools soldiers use to counter the SPF. The SPF threat is real and only meters away, awaiting instructions to ignite hostilities and reunify the Koreas by force.