The war that never ended: Norway, Korea and the UN Command
People
In Norwegian defence circles, South Korea is best known as a supplier of military equipment, including a naval support vessel and artillery systems for the Norwegian Army. Far fewer people know that Norway was one of 22 countries that contributed military support after North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950.
Norway’s contribution was NORMASH, the Norwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. According to Lieutenant General Scott Winter, deputy commander of the United Nations Command, Korea, the hospital treated more than 90,000 patients and performed some 14,000 surgeries.
“It’s certainly not forgotten by the Koreans,” says Winter.
An armistice meant to last weeks
Winter is an officer in the Australian Army and Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command in Korea. He explains that the 1953 armistice was designed to last for weeks or months. The war never formally ended, and 18 of the original 22 nations remain active members of the command.
In conversation with Senior Defence Analyst Per Erik Solli (NUPI), Winter describes how the command is led today. He also covers its access to seven bases in Japan and the maritime operations that enforce UN sanctions against North Korea.
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North Korea is learning from the war in Ukraine
The most significant change in recent years is the growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia. North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, artillery shells, troops and factory workers. In return, it has been able to test its missile technology and gain drone experience from the front lines in Ukraine.
“What that means is a more capable and a more dangerous North Korean capability to the north of the demilitarised zone,” says Winter.
The countermeasure is to enhance the multinational coalition in the Republic of Korea, both militarily and politically. Winter argues that even small military contributions from nations still matter for deterrence:
“It doesn’t have to be a large contribution, but the additional flags and the strategic signaling of commitment from those nations is powerful.”