RS21582 -- North Korean Crisis: Possible Military Options
July 29, 2003

	Background: Geography and Military Balance

The Korean peninsula lies at a nexus of military, economic, and political concerns with global implications. U.S. Military Alternatives

Should resort to force be deemed necessary, there are several military actions that the United States could contemplate to achievepolicy objectives on the Korean Peninsula. (6)
Status Quo. Improve Defensive Posture. (12)
Military Enforcement of Sanctions. (14)
Preemptive Strike on Nuclear Facilities. (15) In this case, the possession of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles could threaten,now or in the short term, U.S. forces and allied populations in South Korea and Japan. Preemptive War. In theory, however, two policy objectives might be met.
North Korea has confronted the United States with its decision, failing other securityaccommodations, to pursue production of nuclear weapons. The Bush Administration has stated that, although thesituation isunacceptable, it will pursue its resolution through diplomatic means. Military means, however, could be consideredat some point andbecome a serious issue for Congress. This short report discusses the geography and military balance on the KoreanPeninsula,presents the range of military options that might be applied there to specific U.S. political objectives, and assessespossibleconsequences. Military options discussed are: status quo, improved defensive posture, enforce sanctions,preemptive strike againstnuclear facilities, and preemptive war. Also see CRS Issue Brief IB98045 on U.S.-Korean relations and CRS Issue Brief IB91141 onNorth Korea's nuclear weapons. This report will be updated if major changes occur.