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HEADQUARTERS, CFC 9518
Seoul, ROK
1June 19XX
APPENDIX 6 TO ANNEX C TO CFC OPLAN (KOREA) 9518X-XX
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
REFERENCES:
a. Basic Plan.
b. MJCS 59-83, 1 June 1983, "Implementation of the DOD Law of Armed Conflict."
c. Status of Forces Agreement, UNITED STATES of AMERICA and REPUBLIC of SOUTH KOREA,
1 June 19WW.
d. The South Eastern Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) 1948.
1. Situation
(a) General. Basic OPLAN, paragraph. 1,a.
(b) Enemy. Annex B.
(c) Friendly. Basic Plan., paragraph. 1.c.
(d) Assumptions. Basic Plan, paragraph 1,d.
2. Mission. To provide appropriate and specific Rules of Engagement (ROE) for operations in JOA South
Korea.
3. Execution
a. Concept of Operation
(1) General
(a) CFC ROE establish policies and procedures governing actions to be taken by
CFC forces during joint operations against hostile acts or demonstrations of hostile intent by belligerent
forces or during a period of open hostilities.
(b) The CFC ROE are written to support the accomplishment of the mission with
the minimum use of force, while safeguarding CFC forces. While combat operations focus in nature, the
ROE allow all forces to use their weapons to prevent others from interfering with the accomplishment of the
mission, and when directed by the appropriate commander, to engage in preemptive military operations to
ensure success of the mission.
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(c) CFC units and individuals will be confronted with direct combat and subversive
opposition. Such subversive opposition could be passive as well as active. The latter form of opposition
could employ forceful means. The opposition could result from misunderstandings, it could be spontaneous,
or it could be planned and deliberate.
(d) Nothing in these rules shall infringe upon the inherent right of self-defense and a
commander’s responsibility to exercise unit self-defense. The right of self-defense will not be denied any US
military personnel.
(e) Military necessity does not justify any of the measures expressly prohibited by
the Law of War.
(f) Every possible safeguard, not endangering friendly lives, will be used to avoid
noncombatant casualties and the indiscriminate destruction of private property whenever actions are to be
conducted in populated areas. If noncombatant casualties occur, in spite of the safeguards, medical
treatment should be provided by the responsible commander, subject to tactical considerations and available
resources.
(g) The deployment and show of appropriate forceful means in a disciplined and
well-controlled manner, shall also be applied as a deterrent measure.
(h) The use of force - Definitions.
1. The term “force” encompasses those physical means that CFC forces
possess to fulfill their mission and tasks stipulated in the OPLAN 9518X-XX. Force can be applied in a
passive or active manner.
2. The use of “passive force” is the employment of physical means that will
normally not result in physical harm to individuals, installations, and equipment. Examples of possible use of
passive force are the use of vehicles to prevent passage of persons or vehicles, or the removal of
unauthorized persons from CFC installations or positions.
3. The “active use of force” is the employment and use of means that may
result in physical harm to individuals, installations, and equipment. Examples of active use of force are the
use of batons and rifle butts, and, in extreme cases, weapons fire.
4. The deployment of physical force is not considered as use of force.
(2) Hostile Forces. You may attack/engage without provocation any forces that have been
declared hostile by the JTF Commander or higher authority.
(3) Hostile Actions
(a) You may use deadly force, as a last resort, to defend yourself, your unit, other
friendly forces, US nationals, persons under your protection, or mission-essential property against any person
who commits a hostile act or clearly demonstrates hostile intent.
(b) Use the minimum amount of force necessary to repel the attack or to determine
that the hostile intent has been abandoned, and to ensure the continued safety of persons and property.
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(c) If attacked or threatened by unarmed hostile elements, or rioters, and hostnation authorities are either unable or unwilling to deter the attack or contain the threat, you may employ the
following measures to overcome the threat.
1. Warnings
2. Show of force, such as the use of riot control formations (if authorized).
3. Use of riot control agents, if authorized by COMJTF Korea or higher
authority.
4. Any means short of deadly force.
(4) Protected Persons. Do not engage protected persons unless they commit a hostile act
or clearly demonstrate hostile intent.
(5) Protected Places
(a) Do not engage protected places, to include public works or utilities, unless
authorized by COMJTF Korea or it is absolutely necessary for individual or unit self-defense.
(b) When authorized to engage a medical facility or unit, do so only after the
following:
1. Issue due warning to cease all hostile use of such facilities.
2. Name a reasonable time limit; and such warning has remained
unheeded.
(6) Civilian Vehicles
(a) You may stop all civilian vehicles in your area of operations and check the
occupants’ identities for security purposes.
(b) If a civilian vehicle does not stop on order, but is leaving your area of
operations, allow it to proceed.
(c) If a civilian vehicle does not stop on order and is approaching a barrier,
checkpoint, or other area protected by US security perimeter, fire to disable the vehicle while attempting to
minimize the risk to the occupants.
b. US National Policies
(1) Peacetime Rules of Engagement (PROE)
(a) Members of US forces may carry magazines of live ammunition in ammunition
pouches only. Weapons will be loaded only when ordered by an officer, noncommissioned officer, or other
person with legal authority, who will observe these PROE.
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(b) Active use of force is authorized only when other means have failed. No US
military member will discharge his weapon if South Korean authorities are providing adequate security.
Deadly force is only authorized to protect life, or sensitive property, such as weapons, night vision devices,
and communications equipment.
(c) If US military personnel are involved in a hostile situation, they will take only
defensive measures and withdraw from the area of combat in the most expeditious manner commensurate
with personal safety.
(d) US military personnel will use only the minimum force necessary to control the
situation. Neither passive nor active force may be used unless the security of USFK/UNC personnel, US
NEO, or NEO qualified foreign nationals are in jeopardy.
(e) When the use of active force is considered, the senior officer or
noncommissioned officer at the scene is responsible for ordering or executing the actions deemed
necessary.
(f) CFC/UNC/USFK personnel will treat civilians and their property with respect.
(2) Tactical Rules of Engagement (TACROE)
(a) General. These TACROE provide guidance on the conduct of combat
operations and direct that all practical means will be employed to limit the risk regarding the lives and
property of friendly forces and civilians.
(b)
countries air or sea space.
No operations will be directed across international borders or in adjacent
(c) US military personnel may fire in self-defense if “it appears imminent” that a
hostile force is about to engage them.
(d)
When returning fire immediately after being fired upon, aim directly at the
source.
(e) Every effort will be made to observe indirect fire, regardless of the target
location. Unobserved indirect fires will only be employed when absolutely necessary for mission
accomplishment. Unobserved indirect fires will not be directed against targets in populated areas unless one
of the following conditions is satisfied:
1. Unit is in contact and is in serious danger of being overrun.
2. Directed or approved by the COMJTF.
(f) Unobserved indirect fires may be directed against all clearly identified targets in
uninhabited or sparsely inhabited areas, if deemed essential by the tactical unit commander directing the fire.
(g) Indirect fire weapons may be used in a direct fire role in populated areas; but,
only when under the immediate direction of the tactical commander at the scene.
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(h) Prior to initiating fires in populated areas, reasonable attempts will be made to
secure the evacuation of the civilian populace using leaflets, loudspeakers, and/or other appropriate means.
(i) Mines and explosive obstacles must be recorded, marked, and under visual
observation until recovered or detonated. If authorized, FASCAM and GATOR will be of short duration.
Booby traps, when used, will be recovered if not detonated. These explosive, incapacitating, or entrapping
devices will be employed so they do not endanger noncombatants as they go about their normal, routine
activities.
(j) Incendiary weapons, such as napalm and white phosphorous, will not be
employed in populated areas unless use is approved by the COMJTF.
(k) Destruction of civilian private property, to include dwellings, automobiles,
livestock, or crops is prohibited, except as an unavoidable consequence of combat actions.
(3) Air Operations
(a) COM 7th Air Component Commander will prescribe TACROE for defensive
counterair (DCA), offensive counterair (OCA), air interdiction (AI), and battlefield air interdiction (BAI).
(b) Each aircrew is responsible for:
1. Determining the other aircraft as enemy before attacking.
2. Determining the ground forces as enemy before attacking.
3. Establishing own identity as friendly when challenged or engaged by
known friendly ground forces.
(c) Ground forces are responsible for:
1. Establishing aircraft as enemy before engaging them with iron sight
weapons, ground to air missiles, or other capable weapon system. The only exception to this principle
occurs when the order "weapons free" is in force.
2. Establishing own identity as friendly when challenged or attacked by
known friendly aircraft.
(d) All aircrews will receive adequate air and ground briefings to determine the
disposition of friendly forces and civilian noncombatants prior to attacking air or ground targets.
(e) Fixed wing close air support/armed helicopter missions require:
1. Fixed wing aircraft to be employed under the control of, or in direct
communications with, a forward air controller (FAC) or forward observer (FO) who has visual contact with the
target and can define the target area(s).
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2. Armed helicopters (utility, attack, and reconnaissance) to have positive
visual contact or be in two-way radio communications with friendly forces who have positive visual contact
with the target and can clearly define the target area(s).
3. A target area(s) which is visually or otherwise clearly marked or
identifiable.
4. Two-way radio communications between the FAC/FO and the attacking
fixed wing aircraft; and between the armed helicopter(s) and friendly air or ground forces.
(f) Air attacks directed against known or suspected enemy targets in populated
areas must preclude unnecessary danger to civilians and destruction of civilians’ property.
(g)
The decision to conduct air attacks in populated areas is reserved by the
CINCKorea.
(h) Munitions will be jettisoned only in designated jettison areas in daylight (VFR) or
under positive radar control (night/IFR conditions) except when an emergency threatens injury to the crew or
serious damage to the aircraft.
(4) Chemical
(a) NCA has NOT released riot control agents (RCA) for use.
(b) If release is granted, RCA may be employed by US forces only to support
defensive military operations in order to save lives, such as the following situations:
1. To control riots in areas under direct military control.
2. When civilians are being used by the enemy to mask or screen attacks
and civilian casualties can be reduced or avoided.
3. During rescue missions in remote or isolated areas, such as the recovery
of downed aircrews or the rescue of escaping prisoners of war.
4. To provide convoy security in rear areas, outside the immediate combat
zone. To protect convoys from civil disturbances and terrorists.
5. Security operations for the protection or recovery of sensitive equipment
or hostage personnel.
(c) All practical means for the safe use of RCA will be employed to limit the risk to
friendly and civilian personnel and property.
(d) Herbicides and defoliants will not be employed by US forces.
(5) Air Defense Artillery. The weapon commander or gunner may engage aircraft subject to
the weapons control status established by the Area Air Defense Commander and issued through the
Airspace Management Element.
(6) Electronic Warfare
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(a) Electronic support (ES) may be employed.
(b) Electronic protect (EP) may be employed in accordance with applicable security
guidance.
(c) Electronic attack (EA) (i.e., electronic jamming and electronic deception) may
be employed against hostile electronic emitters/receivers.
(d) When employing EA:
1. Do not damage or disrupt assets in the area of operation unless those
assets are being used for a hostile military purpose or enhancing the drug trade.
2. Do not damage or disrupt assets in neutral states.
(7) Special Operations and Long Range Reconnaissance Forces
(a) Should civilians be encountered during a reconnaissance mission, do not
engage them unless they commit a hostile act or clearly demonstrate hostile intent.
(b) Civilians may be detained for their safety or operations own safety, but civilians
must be treated as EPWs.
(c) If demanded by military necessity, civilians may be restrained and left in an area
where they will be found or escape within a reasonable amount of time.
(d) Use minimum force necessary to regain custody of detained personnel
attempting to escape.
(e) A particular type uniform is not required to infiltrate the lines of a hostile force;
however, if captured out of uniform, you lose the right to be treated as a prisoner of war. During combat
operations, the uniform must be worn to distinguish lawful combatants.
(8) Other
(a) Hospitals will not be attacked without a prior ultimatum being issued to the
enemy forces. Minimum force necessary will be used and the attack will be reported to the COMJTF.
(b) Churches, religious shrines, schools, museums, and national historical treasures
will not be attacked unless directed by a senior level unit commander. Minimum force necessary will be used
and attack will be reported to the COMJTF.
(c) Public works facilities and other utilities such as power stations, dams and water
treatment plants will not be attacked unless directed or approved by the COMJTF.
(d) Do not requisition private property without permission from a senior level unit
commander and without providing receipt. Do not requisition property if an ordering officer can contract for
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the property. Use government of South Korea, local province, or municipality owned property (real estate,
vehicles, etc.), before using private property.
(e) In accordance with the Geneva Convention, treat prisoners humanely,
respectfully and with dignity.
(f) As the situation permits, search for and collect the wounded and sick, regardless
of their nationality or friendly/opponent status. All deceased personnel, to include indigenous, will be
searched for and collected regardless of nationality or friendly/opponent status. Deceased personnel will not
be cremated unless approved by CINCKorea.
(g) A diplomatic mission or private home of a diplomatic agent will not be engaged
unless the head of the diplomatic mission consents or a person therein commits a hostile act or clearly
demonstrates hostile intent. The person or property of a diplomatic agent will not be seized unless the head
of the diplomatic mission consents or the diplomatic agent commits a hostile act or clearly demonstrates an
intent to commit a hostile act.
(h) US military personnel are not authorized to grant political asylum. US military
personnel may grant temporary refuge to any person threatened with imminent death or serious bodily injury.
Temporary refuge will not be withdrawn (after granting) without the express authority of the COMJTF.
b. Tasks
(1) General
(a) Major Subordinate Commands’ ROE prepared to supplement or interpret these
ROE will be forwarded to CINCKorea for approval.
(b) Commanders will inform members of their command of these ROE and
emphasize the importance of minimizing collateral damage.
(2) COMUSFK. Supplement or interpret these ROE as required for conduct of operations
within the Law of War.
(3) CINCPACFLT. Supplement or interpret these ROE as required for conduct of maritime
operations within the Law of Sea Warfare.
(4) COMUSMARFORKOREA. Supplement or interpret these ROE as required for conduct
of operations within the Law of War.
(5) COMUSPACAF. Prescribe TACROE for defensive and offensive counterair (DCA and
OCA) and interdiction (AI and BAI) missions.
(6) COMSOCKOREA. Supplement or interpret these ROE as required for conduct of
special operations within the Law of War.
c. Coordinating Instructions
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(1) COMJTF Korea coordinate TACROE with South Korean Military Forces and National
Police, and the US Country Team.
(2) Dissemination of TACROE is the responsibility of CFC. Component Commands will
disseminate to subordinate commands.
(3) Provisions of supplementation or interpretation will not have the effect of circumventing
any part of these ROE or References a through e.
4. Administration. Reporting IAW CFC TACSOP.
5. Command and Control. Annex J and K.
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