Korea Update on Landmines: Weapons of Mass Destruction in Slow Motion
Recent media reports have alerted the world to North Korea's potential as a nuclear threat. Landmines, called a weapon of mass destruction in slow motion, are prevalent along the 38th Parallel that divides Korea. The mines buried at the DMZ have been the foundation of U.S. landmine policy.
When President Clinton made the decision not to join the Mi
ne Ban Treaty in 1997 he cited the need for the U.S. to use antipersonnel (AP) landmines to defend South Korea from attack. The Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff argued the U.S. AP landmines were critical to the defense of South Korea against a surprise invasion of North Korean troops and tanks.
However the facts do not support this argument.
Of the 1.2 million mines stockpiled for use in Korea, almost half are stored in the United States.
Delivery of these mines to South Korea from the U.S. would take more than one month, meaning they could only be used after the initial attack. Another 50 percent are in Korea, but at the onset of conflict will be handed over to South Korean troops for their use. The U.S. earmarks only the remaining 5 percent of the mines for immediate use by U.S. troops in South Korea.
Recent media reports have alerted the world to North Korea's potential as a nuclear threat. Landmines, called a weapon of mass destruction in slow motion, are prevalent along the 38th Parallel that divides Korea. The mines buried at the DMZ have been the foundation of U.S. landmine policy.
When President Clinton made the decision not to join the Mi
ne Ban Treaty in 1997 he cited the need for the U.S. to use antipersonnel (AP) landmines to defend South Korea from attack. The Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff argued the U.S. AP landmines were critical to the defense of South Korea against a surprise invasion of North Korean troops and tanks.
However the facts do not support this argument.
Of the 1.2 million mines stockpiled for use in Korea, almost half are stored in the United States.
Delivery of these mines to South Korea from the U.S. would take more than one month, meaning they could only be used after the initial attack. Another 50 percent are in Korea, but at the onset of conflict will be handed over to South Korean troops for their use. The U.S. earmarks only the remaining 5 percent of the mines for immediate use by U.S. troops in South Korea.