A Study on the Concept of Medical Response in Nuclear and Other WMDs Response Operation (Phase 2)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore concepts of medical response within nuclear response operations.Method: This study applied three qualitative research methods. First, cases of actual nuclear weapon use and nuclear threat factors were analyzed through official publications. Second, the concept of medical response to nuclear war in the United States was examined and the application for the ROK military was reviewed. Third, through expert interviews, the level of medical response to nuclear warfare by the Government and the Military was analyzed and development plans were suggested.Results : First, the status of nuclear weapons in nuclear-armed states was investigated. Second, the domestic medical environment was analyzed to assess the feasibility of of ROK’s actual medical response during a nuclear attack. Third, a plan was proposed to advance medical response in the event of a nuclear attack, along with a comprehensive operational frame work to integrate and utilize the Military’s available field-response assets. Fourth, the need to establish external cooperation and research infrastructure for medical response was reviewed.Conclusion : This study is a follow-up to the concept of primary nuclear and WMD medical response. It focused on Medical response in case of a nuclear attack. By analyzing global nuclear threats and the ROK’s medical response environment, this study offers development plans for nuclear attack scenarios and suggested development plans in case of a nuclear attack.