In the Korea Times, the ever-insightfull Ralph Cossa discusses whether tough times are ahead for the US-ROK alliance in the wake of Foreign Minister Yun Yeong-gwan’s resignation. A snippet:
Despite the firing, President Roh has reaffirmed the alliance, noting that strong ties with Washington are “essential” in dealing with North Korea and that bilateral relations are “as firm as ever.” Even “Taliban” leader Lee Jong-seok tried to appear reassuring, noting that “although there are some concerns, there would be no (negative) change in the Korea-U.S. alliance and cooperation” as a result of Yoon’s firing.
If this is so, you might ask, then why is the alliance so troubled? There are a number of reasons. First is the recognition, confirmed by government spokesmen, that more heads are likely to roll, especially from within the already demoralized North American Affairs Division which, inappropriate comments notwithstanding, has legitimate complaints about the ideological battles it must fight in order to implement Roh?s professed commitment to keep the alliance relationship strong.
Even more troubling was the way in which the firing was announced. Insubordination (plus accusations of intelligence leaks) would have been sufficient cause. But presidential advisor Jeong Chan-yong for personnel management, in announcing Yoon’s “resignation” went on to stress that “some Foreign Ministry officials neither swerved from the ‘dependent’ foreign policy paradigm of the past nor properly understood the basic concepts and direction of the participatory government’s new ‘independent’ foreign policy.” “Dependent” is an emotion-loaded phrase used to discredit those who appear too close to the U.S., an unnecessary addition that could only be aimed at Washington.
It would thus appear that, even as one set of advisors was sending signals that the alliance was and must remain strong, others were playing the anti-American card, perhaps signaling that the president, facing contentious parliamentary elections in April, may once again choose to play the “will not kowtow to Washington” game that he played so successfully in winning election in the first place.
By all means, read the rest on your own.
One Comment
While I don’t think the US wants to leave South Korea, perhaps, given the recent success of their soccer team, the residents of that fair domain believe their “brethren” to the north will treat them and their middle school children with more reverence?
It seems our friends cannot make up their mind who they hate the most.
Hell, they’ll probably think they deserve going to the camps to pay for all the years of oppression that the South put on the North…
PING:
TITLE: Our Friend President Roh
BLOG NAME: Barry Talks!
Ralph Cossa writes in the Korea Times about difficult times ahead for the US-South Korean alliance.