한미연합군사훈련 중단을 촉구하는 한국·미국·국제 시민사회 성명
다가오는 봄, 전쟁 연습이 아니라
평화를 위한 대화가 열리기를 바랍니다
미국과 한국, 세계 곳곳에서 평화 운동을 펼치는 우리들은, 바이든 대통령에게 연례 한미연합군사훈련의 중단을 촉구하고자 합니다. 매우 도발적이며 비용이 많이 드는 이 전쟁 연습을 중단하는 것은 진정한 북미 대화를 열어낼 중대한 걸음이 될 것입니다. 또한 이는 70년 한국전쟁의 평화적 해결과 전 세계가 직면한 핵없는 세계, 코로나19 위기와 같은 난제를 풀어가는 데 크게 기여할 것입니다.
한미 양국은 한국전쟁 직후인 1950년대 중반부터 북한과의 전쟁을 대비하는 군사훈련을 시작했습니다. 1970년대 들어서는 상당한 규모의 무기와 장비를 동원하고 한반도 외의 미군들을 한반도에 전개하는 대규모 군사훈련으로 발전하였고, 2000년대 이후에는 유사시 북한에 대한 선제 공격과 북한 지도부 제거 작전도 포함하는 작전계획을 연습하는 것으로 알려져 왔습니다. 이러한 전쟁 연습의 규모와 성격으로 인해 연례 한미연합군사훈련은 한반도에서 군사적, 정치적 긴장을 촉발해왔습니다.
과거 연합훈련의 경우 핵무장이 가능한 B-2 전폭기나 핵추진 항공모함, 핵추진 잠수함이 전개된 바 있고, 장거리 포를 비롯한 여러 무기들이 사용되었습니다. 이러한 전쟁 연습은 한반도에서 긴장을 고조시킬 뿐만 아니라 미국 납세자들에게 수십억 달러의 비용을 부담 지우며, 한국 지역 주민들과 해당 지역 환경에 회복하기 어려운 피해를 주고 있습니다.
우리는 전 세계적으로 인간의 기본적인 삶, 환경, 경제 위기에 직면해 있습니다. 이러한 군사훈련은, 보건 의료와 지속가능한 환경 등 진정한 인간 안보를 위해 사용되어야 할 자원들을 전용합니다. 게다가 이러한 전쟁 연습으로 한반도에서 지정학적 긴장이 고조되고, 수백만의 희생을 불러올 참사인 전쟁이 다시 벌어질 수 있는 위험한 상황이 생길 수 있습니다.
다가오는 봄, 우리는 전쟁 연습이 아니라 평화를 위한 대화가 열리기를 바랍니다. 우리는 바이든 정부가 북미 갈등의 근본 원인인 아직 끝나지 않은 전쟁을 해결하는 데 나서기를 바랍니다. 아직 끝나지 않은 전쟁으로 인해 위험한 군비 경쟁이 가속화되고 있고, 지속되는 제재로 북한 주민들이 고통받고 있으며, 헤어진 수십만 가족들이 만나지 못하는 비극이 이어지고 있습니다. 고립, 압박, 제재를 통해 북한의 비핵화를 강제하겠다는 것은, 실패해온 정책입니다.
이러한 점에서, 한미연합군사훈련을 중단하는 것은 북미 간 신뢰를 구축하는 중요한 조치가 될 것입니다. 이를 통해 북한과의 70년 묵은 갈등을 해결하는 외교를 재개하여, 궁극에는 한반도에 항구적인 평화 구축과 비핵화를 이뤄낼 것입니다.
2021년 1월 28일
미국 단체 (총 110개)
Action One Korea
Alliance for Global Justice
American Friends Service Committee
ANSWER Coalition
Augusta Women in Black
Beyond War and Militarism
Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security
Center for Political Education
Channing and Popai Liem Education Foundation
Chicago Area Peace Action
Citizens Academy for Korean Americans
Coalition of Koreans in America
Code Pink
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Community Organizing Center
Democratic Socialists of America, Los Angeles
Environmentalists Against War
Family Mediation Center, Inc.
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Franklin County Continuing Political Revolution
Georgia WAND Education Fund
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space
Good Neighborhood Church
Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia
Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
Greater Brunswick Peace Works
Ha:n Ministry of United Methodist Church
Hawai'i Peace and Justice
Heung Coalition
International Action Center
Jeannette Rankin Peace Center
Jewish Voice for Peace
June 15 U.S. Committee for Reunification of Korea
Justice Is Global
Korea Peace Network
Korea Peace Now Grassroots Network
Korea Policy Institute
Korean American Civic Action
Korean American National Coordinating Council
Korean American Network for Democracy
Korean Americans for the Progressive Party of Korea
Korean Peace Alliance
Kaua`i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
MADRE
Massachusetts Korea Peace Campaign
Massachusetts Peace Action
Maui Peace Action
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
Military Poisons
Minjung Solidarity of New York
MLK Coalition Of Greater Los Angeles
Nabi USA - Los Angeles
Nabi USA - Washington DC
National Association of Korean Americans
National Institute of Hahmsokhon’s Philosophy
National Lawyers Guild at Northeastern University
New Jersey Peace Action
New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy
New Hampshire Peace Action
Nodutdol for Korean Community Development
Nukewatch
Olympia Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Pacific Asian Network Alliance
Pan Korean Alliance for Reunification USA
Parallax Perspectives
Peace Action USA
Peace Action Maine
Peace Action New York State
Peace Action of San Mateo County
Peace Action of Wisconsin
Peace and Freedom Party
Peace 21
People for Truth and Hope North Carolina
Philadelphia New Voice
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Popular Resistance
Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea
Sasase Chicago
Seattle Evergreen Coalition
Show Up! America
Solar Workers Union
Support Committee for Korean Prisoners of Conscience USA
Taos Environmental Film Festival
United Methodist Church Northern Illinois Conference
Through Design LLC
United for Peace and Justice
Union del Barrio
United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society
United Methodist Women
US Campaign for Palestinian Rights
Veterans For Peace
Veterans For Peace New York City Chapter 34
Veterans For Peace Twin Cities Chapter 27
Veterans for Peace Hawai’i Chapter 113
Veterans For Peace Los Angeles
Veterans For Peace Phil Berrigan Memorial Chapter
War Prevention Initiative
Western New York Peace Center
Western States Legal Foundation
Win Without War
WNC 4 Peace
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Maine
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Greater Philadelphia Branch
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom US
Women Against War
Women Cross DMZ
Women for Genuine Security
Woorimadang Chicago
World BEYOND War
한국 단체 (총 197개)
4.16교육연구소 (4.16ERI)
4.27시대연구원 (4.27era Research)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 경기본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Gyeonggi branch)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 경기중부본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Gyeonggijoongboo branch)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 서울본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Seoul brench)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 인천본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Incheon branch)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 전남본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Jeonnam branch)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 전북본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Jeonbuk branch)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 진주시민운동본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Jinju branch)
6.15 공동선언실천 남측위원회 청년학생본부 (South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration, Youth & Students Headquarters)
615시민합창단 (615 Civic Chorus)
강정 국제팀 (Gangjeong International Team)
강정마을 해군기지 반대 주민회 (Association of Gangjeong Villagers against the Jeju Navy Base)
강정평화네트워크 (Gangjeong Peace Network)
개성관광 재개운동본부 (Kaesong Tourism Center)
개척자들 (The Frontiers)
경기여성단체연합 (Gyeonggi women's associations united)
경기장애인인권포럼 (The Human Right Forum of Person With Disabilities in Gyeonggi)
경기정의평화기독교행동 (Gyeonggi Christian Action for Justice and Peace)
경남우리교육공동체 (KNWG)
고양파주흥사단 (Goyang Paju Young Korean Academy)
광주전남교수연구자연합 (Gwangju Jeonnam Professors and Researchers Association in Korea)
광주전남대학민주동우회협의회 (KJUDA)
광주전남대학생진보연합 (Gwangju Jeonnam University Student Progressive Alliance)
광주전남민주화운동동지회 (Gwangju-Jeonnam Democratic Movement Association)
광주전남시민행동 (Gwangju CiminAction)
광주진보연대 (Gwangju Alliance Progress Movement)
교육희망울산학부모회 (Ulsan Parents' Association Hope for Education)
국민주권연대 광주전남 지역본부 (Gwangju Alliance Popular Sovereignty)
국민주권연대 제주본부 (National sovereignty coalition cheju headquarters)
군산미군기지우리땅찾기시민모임 (Gunsan Citizens' Society to Reclaim the Land from US Forces in Korea)
귀농사모 (KOREA REFARMER ASSOCIATION)
극단허리 (Central Theatre Company)
기지촌여성인권연대 (Solidarity for USFK Comfort Women's Human Rights)
김제정의평화행동 (Gimje Justice Peace Action)
노동문예창작단 가자 (Let's go)
노후희망유니온인천본부 (HOPEUNION)
녹색당 (Green Party Korea)
녹색연합 (Green Korea United)
대북협력민간단체협의회 (Korea NGO Council for Cooperation with North Korea)
독도사랑협의회 (Association of Dokdo Sarang)
독립유공자유족회 (Association of Bereaved of Independence Merit)
동학천도교보국안민실천연대 (Donghak-Chondogyo Network for People)
두레방쉼터 (My sister’s home)
몽양역사아카데미 (The academy of Mongyang)
미디어기독연대 (Media Christian Solidarity)
민족공동체추진본부 (Office for the Promotion of National Unity)
민족문제연구소전북지부 (The Center for Historical Truth and Justice Jeonbuk Regional Council)
민족자주 평화통일 광주전남 지역회의 (Menjokjajoo pyengwhoatongel kwoangjoojernnam jeyrkhoeye)
민주노점상전국연합 (Korea Democratic Street Venders Confederation)
민주사회를 위한 변호사모임 (MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society)
민주평등사회를 위한 전국교수연구자협의회 (Association of Professors and Researchers for Democracy and Equality)
복음 시니어 선교회 (Gospel Senior Ministry)
부산우리민족서로돕기운동 (KBSM)
비무장평화의섬제주를만드는사람들 (People Making Jeju a Demilitarized Peace Island)
(사)겨레하나 (Movement For One Korea)
(사)광주전남겨레하나 (Movement For One Korea Gwangju and Jeonnam regional headquarters)
(사)대구여성회 (Daegu Women's Association)
(사)어린이어깨동무 (Okedongmu Children in Korea)
(사)어린이의약품지원본부 (MEDICAL AID FOR CHILDREN)
(사)우리누리평화운동 (Urinuri Peace Corp.)
(사)인천겨레하나 (Incheon movement for one Korea)
(사)전북겨레하나 (Jeonbuk Corporation Action for One Korea Inc., Assoc.)
(사)정의 평화 인권을 위한 양심수후원회 (NGO for Prisoners of Justice Peace and Human Rights)
(사)코리아국제평화포럼 (Korea International Peace Forum)
(사)통일코리아 지도자회 (Unification KOREA leader Association)
(사)평화삼천 (The Corea Peace3000)
(사)평화철도 (Peace railway)
사단법인 노동희망발전소 (Corporation of Hope Plant for Labor)
사단법인 녹색교통운동 (Networks for greentransport)
사단법인 하나누리 (HANANURI)
사단법인 한말호남의병기념사업회 (Work of commemoration for the Righteous army in Honam region in the Late Period of Chosun)
사단법인 전북교육마당 (Jeonbuk EDU-Madang Inc., Assoc.)
사드배치반대 김천시민대책위원회 (Anti-THAAD Gimcheon Civil Action Committee)
사월혁명회 (April revolution association)
삼성일반노조 (Samsung union)
새로운 100년을 여는 통일의병 (Tongil Euibyung)
새로하나 (New One)
생명평화정의전북기독행동 (Jeonbuk Christian Action for Life Peace & Justice)
생명평화포럼 (Life and Peace Forum)
서해5도평화운동본부 (Westsea Five island Peace Movement Headquarters)
성골롬반외방선교회 (Columban Mission Society Korea)
성주군 농민회 (Sungjugun nongminhoe)
성주사드투쟁위 (No THAAD Seongju)
세종 통일을 만드는 사람들 (Sejong people who make reunification of Korea)
소성리사드철회 성주주민대책위원회 (Seongju Soseongri Villagers' Association against THAAD)
수원여성회 (Suwon Women's Association)
시민평화포럼 (Civil Peace Forum)
아나키스트 의열단 (Anarchist Eouyelldan)
아시아의친구들 (Friends Of Asia)
아시아평화시민넷 (Asia Citizen's Network for Peace)
액션원코리아 (Action One Korea)
양심수 후원회 (Yangsimsoo huwonhwi)
양용찬열사추모사업회 (Martyre Yong Chan-Yang Memorial Association)
여성평화운동네트워크 (Korean Women’s Movement for Peace)
열린군대를위한시민연대 (Civilian Military Watch)
예수살기 (Living with Jesus)
오산이주노동자센터 (Osan Migrant Workers Center)
오월을 사랑하는 사람들의 모임 (Ohsamo)
울산여성회 (ULSAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION)
울산진보연대 (Ulsan Alliance For Progressive Movement)
원불교 성주성지수호비상대책위원회 (The Won-Buddhist Emergency Committee to Guard the Sacred Site at Seongju)
이석규민주노동열사기념사업회 (Lee suek gu Democracy Labour Adent Sprits Memorial Foundation)
인권교육센터 들 (Human Rights Education Center - DEUL)
인천노사모 (Incheon Nosamo)
인천여성회 (ICWA)
인천평화복지연대 (Incheon Network for Peace & Welfare)
일본군성노예제문제 해결을 위한 정의기억연대 (The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan)
자유언론실천재단 (Korea Foundation for Free Press)
자주평화통일실천연대 (Solidarity for Independent Peaceful Reunification of Korea)
작은형제회 (Order of Friars Minor)
작은형제회 JPIC (OFM KOREA JPIC)
전국교직원노동조합 (Korea Teachers' Union)
전국교직원노동조합 안산지회 (Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Ansan)
전국교직원노동조합 제주지부 (Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Jeju)
전국농민회총연맹 (Korea Peasants League)
전국농민회총연맹 전북도연맹 (Jeollabuk-Do League, Members of Korean Peasant League)
전국민주노동조합총연맹 (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions)
전국민주노동조합총연맹 경기도본부 (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeonggi Regional Council)
전국민주노동조합총연맹 인천지역본부 (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Incheon Regional Council)
전국민주노동조합총연맹 전북본부 (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Jeonbuk Regional Council)
전국빈민연합 (Korea Urban Poor Association)
전국여성농민회총연합 (Korean Women Peasants Association)
전국여성연대 (Korea Women’s Alliance)
전국청소년행동연대 날다 (KoreaYouthMovementUnion Nalda)
전남진보연대 (Jeonnam Alliance For Progressive Movement)
전북교육마당 (JEONBUKEDUMADANG)
전북기독교교회협의회 (JBNCC)
전북미래교육연구소 (Jeonbuk Institute of Future Education)
전북민중행동 (Jeonbuk People Movement)
전북유아보육연대회의 (Korean People Early Childhood Education and Childcare Solidarity Meeting)
전북지역대학생겨레하나 (JBUNIV OneKorea)
전북청년겨레하나 (Jeonbuk Youth for One Korea)
전북평화와인권연대 (Solidarity for Peace & Humanrights)
전북평화회의 (Jeonbuk Peace Council)
정의당 전북도당 (Justice Party in Jeonbuk)
제주통일청년회 (Jeju youth group for unification)
제주평화인권센터 (Jeju peace humanrights center)
좋은 시민의 힘 (Power of Good Citizens)
진보당 (The Progressive Party)
진보당 거제시위원회 (The Progressive Party Geoje-si Committee)
진보당 경상남도당 (The Progressive Party Gyeongnam Committee)
진보당 김해시위원회 (The Progressive Party Gimhae-si Committee)
진보당 보성군위원회 (The Progressive Party Boseong-gun Committee)
진보당 성남수정구지역위원회 (The Progressive Party Sungnam-si Sujeong-gu regional committee)
진보당 인천시당 (The Progressive Party Incheon Committee)
진보당 전북도당 (The Progressive Party Jeonbuk Committee)
진보당 제주도당 (The Progressive Party Jeju Committee)
진보당 창원시 성산구 지역위원회 (The Progressive Party Changwon-si Seongsan-gu Committee)
진보대학생넷 (Jinbo College Student Network)
참살이문학 (Chamsari Munhak)
참여연대 (People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy)
창원진보연합 (Changwon jinbo)
창작21작가회 (Changjak21)
천주교정의구현전국연합 (Korean Catholic Federation for Justice)
촛불혁명당 (Candle Revolution Party)
촛불혁명완성연대 (Booklight Solidarity for completion Candlelight Revolution)
통일나무 (One Korea Tree)
통일민주협의회 (The Council Democracy for Unification)
통일사회연구소 (Korean Reunification Society Research Institute)
통일엔평화 (Unification and peace)
통일의길 (The Happy March For One Korea)
통일청년회 (Youth Group for Unification)
팍스크리스티 코리아 (PAX CHRISTI KOREA)
평택 건강과 생명을 지키는 사람들 (People who protect Pyeongtaek health and life)
평택안성흥사단 (YOUNG KOREAN ACADEMY PYEONGTAEK)
평택청년플랫폼 피:움 (Pyeongtaek youth platform P:um)
평택평화센터 (Pyeongtaek Peace Center)
평택평화시민행동 (Pyeongtaek Peace Citizen Action)
평택협동사회네트워크사회적협동조합 (Pyeongtaek Cooperative Social Network Social Cooperative)
평화네트워크 (Peace Network)
평화를만드는여성회 (Women Making Peace)
평화바닥 (Peace Ground)
평화바람 (Peace Wind)
평화비경기연대 (Gyeonggi Solidarity for Statue of Peace)
평화어머니회 (Peace Mothers of KOREA)
평화통일기도회 (Prayer Meeting for Korea Peace & Reunification)
평화협정운동본부 (Peace Treaty Movement)
평화협정운동인천본부 (Peace Treaty Movement, Incheon)
프란치스코 수도원 (Franciscan Friary)
피스모모 (PEACEMOMO)
한국 YMCA 전주지부 만인회 (YMCA 10,000 Kommittee for Korea Peace and Reunification, Jeonju)
한국기독교교회협의회 화해통일위원회 (Reconciliation and Reunification Committee, the National Council of Churches in Korea)
한국기지평화네트워크 (Korean Peace Network Against Military Bases)
한국노동조합총연맹 (FEDERATION OF KOREAN TRADE UNIONS)
한국대학생진보연합 (Korea University Advancement Association)
한국신학대학 민주화운동 동지회 (Hankuk theological seminary)
한국작가회의 (Writers association of Korea)
한국진보연대 (Korea Alliance For Progressive Movement)
한국청년연대 (Korea Youth Solidarity)
한국YMCA전국연맹 (National Council of YMCAs of Korea)
한국YWCA연합회 (National YWCA of Korea)
한반도 평화와 통일을 위한 YMCA 만인회 (YMCA 10,000 Committee for Korea Peace and Reunification)
한베평화재단 (Korea Vietnam Peace Foundation)
흥사단 (Young Korean Academy)
KT민주동지회 (KT democratic comrade)
국제 단체 (총 80개)
6.15 Japan Committee
6.15 Overseas Committee
Aksi Lilin Jakarta, Indonesia
Alliance of Progressive Canadians
Article 9 Canada
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
ATTAC Hungary Association
Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Canada
Belgium Korea Friendship Association
Cameroon for a World Beyond War
Canada-Philippines Solidarity Organization
Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, Japan
Center for Peace Education, Philippines
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Cambodia
China Anti-Japanese History Memorial Association
Code Pink Canada
Coop-Anti-War-Café, World Beyond War, Germany
Democratic Congress of World Koreans Australia
Frente Anti-impèrialista Internacionalista, Spain
Friends of "Comfort Women,” Australia
Global Korean Democratic Association, Laos
Global Uchinanchu Alliance, Okinawa
I Hagan Famalao'an Guahan, Guam
Independent and Peaceful Australia Network
Independent Guåhan, Guam
June 15 Overseas Committee for Reunification of Korea, Canada
Just Peace Committee, Canada
KILUSAN Para sa Pambansang Demikrasya (Movement for National Democracy), Philippines
Korea Peace Now! Women Mobilizing to End the War
Korea Truth Commission Canada
Korean-Canberran Action, Australia
Korean Democratic Women’s Association, Japan
Korean Honam Association, Australia
Korean Peace Action Global Network
Korean Taekwondo Association, Brazil
Korean Youth & Student Council of 6.15 Japan Regional Committee
Le Mouvement de la Paix, France
Maison de Minjok, France
Marrickville Peace Group, Australia
Minju Forum, Canada
No Harbour For War, Canada
No to War - No to NATO Network
NPO SAMCHEONRI RAILWAY, Japan
Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence
Osaka Minju Yonhap
Pacific Peace Network, Australia
Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan (Unity of Women for Freedom), Philippines
Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand
Pax Christi Asia-Pacific
Pax Christi Australia
Pax Christi Philippines
Peace Action Wellington, New Zealand
Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Ireland
Peace Boat, Japan
Peace People, Northern Ireland
Peace Philosophy Centre, Canada
Peace Treaty Now!
Peace Women Partners, Philippines
Philippine Women Network on Peace and Security
Pivot2Peace, Canada
Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian, Guam
Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group, United Kingdom
SASASE Ottawa
Shannonwatch, Ireland
Solidarität der Korianer in Europa (Solidarity of Korean People in Europe)
Stop the War Coalition Philippines
True Colors Coalition, Philippines
United Church of Canada
United Church Rural Ministry Network, Canada
Veteranos Por la Paz España (Veterans For Peace, Chapter #1005), Spain
Veterans for Peace ROCK, Okinawa
Victoria Peace Coalition, Canada
Women Against Nuclear Power, Finland
Women for Peace, Finland
Women for Peace, Sweden
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
World Beyond War New Zealand
World Beyond War Spain
Youth for Nationalism and Democracy, Philippines
한미연합군사훈련의 중단을 촉구하는 한국·미국·국제 시민사회 성명 (영문)
US, ROK and International Civil Society Organizations
Call for the Suspension of US-ROK
Combined Military Exercises
January 28, 2021
We, the undersigned civil society organizations in the United States, South Korea, and around the world, call on President Biden to suspend the annual US-South Korea (ROK) combined military exercises. Suspending these costly and highly provocative war exercises will be a crucial step toward re-starting genuine diplomacy with North Korea (DPRK). It will remove a formidable obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing 70-year-old Korean War and allow all parties to focus on other intractable global issues facing our nations today, such as creating a nuclear weapons-free world and resolving the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In the mid-1950s, just after the Korean War, the US and ROK began combined military exercises in South Korea that prepare for war with North Korea. In the 1970s the drills developed into large-scale exercises that mobilize considerable weapons, equipment and the deployment of US troops stationed in both South Korea as well as US bases outside the Korean Peninsula. Since the 2000s they have been based on operation plans that reportedly include pre-emptive strikes and “decapitation measures” against the North Korean leadership. Due to their scale and provocative nature, the annual US-ROK combined exercises have long been a trigger point for heightened military and political tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
For years these combined military exercises have involved the use of B-2 bombers (which are designed to drop nuclear bombs), nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as the firing of long-range artillery and other weapons. They not only increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula, they have cost US taxpayers billions of dollars and have caused irreparable harm to local residents and the environment in South Korea.
At a time when the world is facing urgent humanitarian, environmental, and economic crises, these military exercises divert critically needed resources away from our capacity to provide true human security such as healthcare, a sustainable environment, and other priorities. Furthermore, they heighten geopolitical tensions and risk re-igniting a hot war on the Korean Peninsula, which would have catastrophic consequences for millions of people.
We want peace talks, not war drills and military confrontation. We urge the Biden Administration to resolve the root cause of the conflict between the United States and North Korea — the unresolved Korean War — which has driven a dangerous arms race, harmed the most vulnerable people through punishing sanctions, and enforced the tragic separation of hundreds of thousands of Korean families. Continuing to rely on isolation, pressure, and threats to force North Korea’s unilateral denuclearization is a recipe for failure.
Suspending the combined military exercises will be a major confidence-building measure toward renewing diplomacy to resolve the longstanding 70-year-old conflict with North Korea and, ultimately, achieve permanent peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Signed:
387 organizations as above