The American are apparently sounding out the South Koreans about sending additional troops to Iraq. According to the Joongang Ilbo, American officials requested more troops from South Korea, to serve in a UN multinational force, during last week’s “Future of US-ROK Alliance” talks in Seoul, and although one source is quoted as saying that the Americans did not ask for combat troops per say, they did say that the troops would be responsible for peacekeeping duties, and it’s expected that they will be charged with combat missions well.
So far, the only official response I’ve read is that of Nation Assembly Defense Committee Chairman Jang Yong-dal, who said that without a request from the UN, he could not acceed to the American request for additional forces. Jang did indicate, however, that with a UN request, the National Assembly could agree to dispatching peacekeepers to Iraq.
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Impressive.
Japan has already agreed to send SDF under the auspices of a UN approved peacekeeping operation. South Korea manages to piss and moan and generate milquetoast responses.
Maybe we should nuke Busan. That way the South Koreans might get their act together in another 50 years.
Perhaps the US should just remove 8th Army and the 51st TFW, and place them in Iraq. They might feel safer and more welcome there.