The following is translated and abstracted from an article in the June 16, 1999 issue of World Journal, a Chinese-language newspaper with office in the U.S. and Taiwan and a global circulation of 2.8 million. PNS associate editor Franz Schurmann translated this article for the New California Media (NCM) web site (www.ncmonline.com). NCM is a collaboration of over 150 ethnic news organizations which aims to raise public awareness of the ethnic media's growing role in informing California's civic life and to enhance inter-group understanding.

To counter North Korean aggressive intentions the United States has drawn up Special Battle Plan 5027. This new battle plan was first used last year on May 27 during the joint U.S.-South Korean (ROK) military maneuvers. If North Korea at some point launches attacks, the plan's aim is to bring about unification of the Korean peninsula under ROK leadership.

Since the Korean War armistice was signed in 1953 the United States and South Korea have been making contingency preparations in the event of Korean War II. What's now called the 5027 battle plan is divided into five stages.

Stage 1: As soon as North Korea shows signs of aggression against South Korea, U.S. forces will immediately seek to secure the Korean peninsula by imposing a total air and sea blockade on North Korea. Under the previous battle plans U.S.-ROK forces only went into action after North Korea had carried out actual aggression. Under the new battle plan North Korea merely has to show "signs" of aggression and the United States and ROK will immediately carry out military action.

Stage 2: U.S.-ROK forces will act quickly to completely destroy the over 10,000 artillery pieces and missiles the North Koreans have assembled along the cease-fire lines. This will eliminate the threat to Seoul. At the same time U.S.-ROK forces will fire airborne and cruise missiles to destroy North Korean rear area bases and the restored capital Pyongyang.

Stage 3: At this point ground forces will launch a major offensive across the 38th parallel demarcation line. In co-ordination naval forces will launch large-scale ground attacks against North Korea east coast cities of Gensan and others as well as on the west coast against Chinnampo. The aim is to encircle Pyongyang in a three pronged pincers attack.

Stage 4: Now the stage is set for overturning the Kim Jong Il regime and occupying the entire region to the north.

Stage 5: At this point the reunification of the two Koreas will have been completed under ROK leadership. According to the plan the entire operation can be completed at the earliest in 48 days and at the latest in 120 days.

North Korea has positioned 65 infantry divisions, 40 percent of its combat planes and 60 percent of its warships along the demarcation lines and adjacent waters. U.S.-ROK forces are prepared to attack these concentrations in full force 24 hours after it's determined that North Korea is showing signs of movement.