ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

North Korea's nuclear and missile threats pose the most critical challenge to South Korea's security. With the increasing frequency of ballistic and cruise missile launches and the expansion of missile launch platforms, the threat of North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities continues to escalate. Among the three pillars of South Korea’s independent response framework, known as the Korean Three-Axis System, the most crucial is the first axis. This is because the first axis focuses on preemptively neutralizing North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities before they can be launched. The second axis, the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system, aims to intercept missiles already in flight at high speeds—a task that remains exceedingly difficult. Meanwhile, the third axis, Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), is a strategy implemented after North Korea has used its nuclear weapons or WMDs, making it a reactive measure that follows significant sacrifices and damage. Consequently, the first axis, which seeks to eliminate threats before their deployment, stands as the most vital pillar. In essence, deterring and responding to the grave threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities is South Korea's foremost security priority. This study aims to examine the fundamental concept and stages of the first axis, Kill Chain, which is deemed the most significant in addressing North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. Furthermore, it analyzes the role of the Air Force in the strike phase and explores its developmental trajectory. The findings underscore the necessity of maintaining an adequate fleet of manned fighter jets for the Kill Chain strategy. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of establishing a manned-unmanned combat collaborative system to overcome the limitations of manned aircraft and enhance operational effectiveness.

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