• Title/Summary/Keyword: Weapons of Mass Destruction(WMD)

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Military Competition and Arms Control in Space (우주상 군비경쟁과 군비통제)

  • Shin, Dong-Chun;Cho, Hong-Je
    • The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.203-237
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    • 2011
  • Since USSR successfully launched its satellite "Sputnik"in 1957, many countries including US and USSR began military use of space, and engaged in arms race in space, which is against spirit and ideals of peaceful use of space as common heritage of mankind stipulated in many treaties such as Outer Space Treaty. With worsening Cold War between East and Western Bloc, this military use of space and arms race in space has been intensifying. Regarding the ideals of peaceful use of space, it is interpreted that military use of space is possible unless it does not have the purpose of aggression. The military use of space may have diverse forms such as attacking satellites in space, or attacking from satellites, making use of present and future technologies available which should include the use of nuclear and kinetic/hyper-speed weapons, laser, particle beams, near explosion, disturbance weapons in different directions (i.e., surface to space, space to space, and space to surface). Arms control is being implemented by the efforts of many countries in different formalities including legislature of international treaties under the auspices of UNCOPUOS and prohibition of weapons of mass destruction. Taking outstanding examples aiming at arms control by international community, there are confidence building measures (CBM), strengthening implementation of existing treaties, partial ban of nuclear tests, countryand regional approach, comprehensive approach and measures having legally binding force. While U.S. has surpassed other countries concerned in the area of military useof space, it withdrew from OST in early 2000s, thereby raising concern of international community. It requires concerted efforts of cooperationand implementation by international society to make sure peace of mankind and environmental conservation through arms control in space. Observing de facto possession of nuclear weapons by North Korea following series of nuclear tests and launching satellites, and efforts of launching rockets by South Korea, it is strongly needed for both countries to take part in arms control efforts by international community.

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Characteristics of Biological Agent and relavent case study (생물무기 특성과 사례연구)

  • Park, Minwoo;Kim, Hwami;Choi, Yeonhwa;Kim, Jusim
    • Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.442-454
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    • 2017
  • Biological weapon is manipulated and produced from microorganisms such as bacteria, virus, rickettsia, fungi etc. It is classified as one of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) along with chemical weapon and radiological weapon. Biological weapon has a number of operational advantages over the other WMDs including ease of development and production, low cost and possibility of covert dissemination. In this study we analyze the history of biological weapon's development and the existing biological threats. Then, we predict the social impact of biological attack based on the physical properties of biological agent and infection mechanisms. By analyzing the recognition, dispersion pattern of agents, characteristics of the diseases in the biological weapon related historical events such as Sverdlovsk anthrax accident, 2001 anthrax attack, we found out some of the facts that biological attack would not likely to be recognized rapidly, produce large number of the exposed, increase number of paients who suffed from severe respiratory illness. It would lead the public health and medical service providers to be struggled with hugh burden. Base on the facts that we found from this case study, we suggested the main capabilities of public health required to respond to bioterrorism event efficiently. Syndromic surveillance and other reporting system need to be operated effeciently so that any suspicious event should be detected promptly. the pathogen which suspected to be used should be identified through laboratory diagnostic system. It is critical for the public health agency to define potentially exposed population under close cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Lastly, massive prophylaxis should be provided rapidly to the people at need by operating human and material resources effeciently. If those capacities of public health are consistantly fortified we would be able to deal with threat of bioterrorism successfully.

Study on the Gas Tight Shut-off Valve of NBC Shelter using Positive Pressure Measurement and Chemical Detection Module (양압측정 및 화학탐지 모듈을 적용한 화생방 방호시설의 가스차단밸브에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Hyoung-Keun
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.18 no.7
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    • pp.417-422
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    • 2017
  • One of the most frightening aspects of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is their ability to cause death in very small quantities without being visible to the public. The military authorities are making considerable effort to ensure the survivability of the combatants in the event of NBC(Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) contamination. Therefore, in this study, modules were developed for the measurement of the positive pressure and for the detection of the chemicals used for the control of the various shut-off valves used in an NBC shelter. In addition, a high performance gas tight shut-off valve was developed that can overcome the disadvantages associated with manual manufacturing, such as the occurrence of defective products and high manufacturing cost. By applying the positive pressure measurement and chemical detection modules, this valve was able to be used to control the facility. The developed gas-tight shut-off valve maintained airtight characteristics at a pressure loss of 28[Pa] at the prescribed wind velocity and an internal pressure of 30[kPa]. It is expected to be possible to control the gas-tight shut-off valve through the remote measurement of the positive pressure, thereby ensuring the foreign independence of import substitution and defense related technology in the future. In addition, by installing these valves in all of the intake ports or exhaust ports connected to the outside of the NBC shelter, it is possible to prevent the damage resulting from the rapid inflow of the storm pressure caused by conventional weapons and nuclear explosions, thereby protecting the people and equipment in the shelter.

Directions in Promoting Independence in Operational Control (전시작전통제권 단독 행사 추진의 방향)

  • Park, Seung-Sik
    • Journal of National Security and Military Science
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    • s.4
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    • pp.351-379
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    • 2006
  • Former ministers of national defense and foreign affairs, intellectuals such as former and incumbent professors, and various NGO groups are demanding the South Korean government to stop promoting independence in operational control which is currently held by the United States Armed Forces in Korea commander. Although the Korea should exercise operational control independently in the future, orientation on the direction which should be taken under consideration in promoting this transfer should be assumed. First of all, South Korea must sufficiently examine the criticisms and dissenting opinions, and reflect them in promoting independence in operational control. From now on, the South Korean government should reflect the opinions of experts in operational control, and must promote the transfer with national consensus. Unilateral enforcement of the transfer may cause serious errors and aggravate conflicts Second, ROKA's exercise of independence in operational control should take place only after gaining restraint on North Korea's attack against the South, and the issues on nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction(WMD) has been resolved, and a peace regime has been reached. Furthermore, exercise of independence in wartime operational control should be promoted only if there is a guarantee that international trust and the military collaboration will be restored to a level beyond the present state. Third, the USFK and the Korean-US alliance is providing South Korea with national security, not to mention tremendous diplomatical, and economical benefits However, if the alliance between the two countries become weakened due to the exercise of the independence in operational control, we might suffer a great deal of loss. Even though reasonable justification and external independence may be gained through promoting independence in operational control, it should be promoted in a longitudinal manner because national security problems and conflicts may be intensified, and there is no actual profit in doing so. Fourth, if the Korean-US alliance becomes weakened and therefore the United States decides to discuss eastern-asia strategies, North Korea deterrence strategies, and Japanese rearmament issues with other neighboring countries, South Korea may become diplomatically isolated and a subordinate to surrounding countries, destroying the independence we have now instead of restoring it Therefore searching for means to reinforce international trust and collaboration between South Korea and the United States, and leaving ROKA’s independence in operational control as a long term objective would be a more realistic method.

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Legal Issues Regarding the Launch Vechicle by DPRK : the Scope and Limit of the UN Security Council Resolution (북한의 발사체발사에 따른 법적 쟁점 : UN 안전보장이사회 결의의 성격과 한계)

  • Shin, Hong-Kyun
    • The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.145-167
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    • 2016
  • UN Security Council is entitled to power for determining the existence of the threat to the peace. Specifying the provisions adopted in accordance with the chapter 7 of the UN Charter, its resolution is deemed as document confirming its decision about the threat to the peace. In general, resolutions adopted by the Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, are considered binding, in accordance with Article 25 of the Charter. Regarding to the terms of the Resolutions to be interpreted, the word "decide" is used as to the suspension of the ballistic missile program, the word "demand" is used as to the stopping of the the launch of ballistic missile, and the word "demand" is used as to return to the missile test moratorium. These provisions may be deemed to determining specific obligations to be imposed upon the States in accordance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. On the other hand, the Resolutions may be limited to the decision, not leading to a sort of international legislation, the main purpose of which is to provide a legal basis for international sanctions against Northe Korea. North Korea missile test case has reminded us of continuing discussion about whether the decision of the Security Council lacks the legislative authority due to its decision process. Furthermore, having regard to the outer space and space activities, the outer space law regime would be not compatible with the Security Council decision process in that the former presupposes the agreement among all States parties, while the latter based upon the agreement between Council member States. Therefore, it is premature to consider the Security Council decision as becoming the lex specialis of the space law regime.