A Comparative Study of Spectrum Management Regulation Frameworks for Defense System in the United States and Republic of Korea

In response to the rapidly increasing spectrum demands driven by electronic warfare operations and the broader defense sector, we examined potential avenues for improving the defense spectrum management framework of the Republic of Korea through a comparative analysis with that of the United States. Through a comparative analysis of the regulatory frameworks governing defense frequency management in both countries, the research identified structural characteristics and systematic differences in the well-established U.S. model and examined how these insights could inform enhancements to Korea’s system. The findings revealed that neither country operated under a dedicated law exclusively for defense frequency management; instead, both manage defense frequencies within their general radio regulation frameworks. However, unlike Korea, the United States had institutionalized a more structured system for the medium- and long-term management of frequencies allocated to weapon systems, which had proven effective in practice. Consequently, this study suggested that Korea should move beyond simple frequency allocation and pursue improvements tailored to the diversified requirements of modern weapon systems and their frequency management needs.