파월한국군의 작전지휘권 결정과정 고찰

Abstract

It is well known fact that ROK forces in Vietnam exclusively have their own operational command authority during the Vietnam War. But these rhetoric words are not accurate expression. An operational command authority of ROK forces is shown differently by each dispatch stage. At the 1st and 2nd dispatch stage, US Military Assistance Command Vietnam(MAC-V) commander have a operational command authority of the ROK forces. At that time, 1st and 2nd dispatch troops were non-combat units. And so the Korea government considered safety measures of the dispatch troops in case that emergent situations occurred in Vietnam. But, the 3rd dispatch stage was different. In that case, the troops sent to Vietnam were combat ones. the Korea government had recognized the importance of the operation command authority, unlike the 1st and 2nd step. the Korea military HQ in Vietnam demanded its own operational command authority to the United States aggressively. As a result of continuous and active request, the Korean troops finally obtained their own operational command authority. And, the operational command authority made the ROK forces's war justification and combat ability improve since that time. Also it has reduced combat damage of them. ROK forces' operational command authority has been changed in the ROK-US Alliance through the Vietnam War dispatch process. It can be said that operational authority of ROK forces have changed from unilateral relationship to equivalent relationship.