Comments on: This is why I don’t drink as much anymore

By: Admiral Yi Sunshin

Admiral Yi Sunshin — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 21:38:55 +0000

A draw-down, yes. A completely withdrawal, no.

Some of you may fantacize about the US leaving completely, but they are merely leaving for parts south of the Han, where American plans are for them to be there a long, long time. USFK military planners will tell you. They know.

By: Tom H

Tom H — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 21:19:10 +0000

Hey Paul H.
We are trying to leave South Korea. A 12000 troop strength draw down is in the works for the near future. In fact parts of 2ID have already left the penninsula and are in Iraq.

By: Simon World

Simon World — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 18:30:12 +0000

Daily linklets 19th April

Nine true stories about Paul, or why he won’t be using a time machine to visit the battle of Waterloo. Drinking can see you ending up in North Korea. Catholics and catholicism in China, by new blogger Jing (via Marmot). One to watch. China’s ongoing…

By: Paul H.

Paul H. — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:51:17 +0000

“As for ROK playing kicking the can, that is really the game that all political parties play-certainly the Republicans are doing so with NK, illeagle immigration and a number of other issues including a viable strategy for exiting Iraq.”

How about a viable US strategy for exiting a free and democratic ROK after 65 years? Maybe if we can get that done it will set an inspiring example for an Iraqi exit strategy; the Iraqis will take heart from the example set by the proud ROK, and speed up their own efforts at achieving democracy so as to get the Americans out.

Plus if we get US troops out of ROK it will get rid of the problem of Republicans “kicking the can down the road” with NK, whatever you mean by that.

By: jyc

jyc — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:37:03 +0000

“drunk and/or deranged missionary”

Every Korean missionary I have ever met has been deranged.

By: Thorin

Thorin — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:57:31 +0000

I read in another article that the man in question drank 1.8 liters of soju before he set sail. That’s what, 6 bottles of soju?

By: James

James — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:40:06 +0000

Yes people with alcohol on the brain do do some silly things. I once saw a drunk man litterally drag his drunk and passed out wife down the street caveman style by grabbing her bra (breast side) and dragging-it was classic.
As for ROK playing kicking the can, that is really the game that all political parties play-certainly the Republicans are doing so with NK, illeagle immigration and a number of other issues including a viable strategy for exiting Iraq. Koi in Japan is no different, he is not telling the Japanese population to lay off the tokdo issue nor is he sending in the Japanese Marines. He is milking the de facto popularity he is getting from the public perception that he appproves of certain policies like taking Tokdo by force if necesarry, building up Japanese military and the history book that China and Korea are so against. I am a little suprised that the elected government doesn’t claim to also represent their opporessed brotheren in the north who are physically prevented from voting for them but would if they could and for this reason continue to accept defectors from NK and run the propaganda. As far as turning back the drunk fisherman, that was a wise choice on the part of NK. What kkind of Comerade would he make? I think it is safe to say they decided he would polute the workers paradise rather quickly so they said no thank you.

By: candu

candu — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:32:11 +0000

I may be wrong about the Korean American - drunk and/or deranged missionary - who swam across the Yalu a few years back, but he may have committed suicide back in States later on. I think the poor guy was as troubled as his ill-advised swim suggested. As for the drunk and troubled fisherman, Mr. Hwang, I’m happy he’s back home - I would surmise he regrets his little excursion too - but he should be thankful the North Koreans have raised their standards for Southern defectors.

By: Paul H.

Paul H. — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 12:14:18 +0000

“Is SK trying to win or lose?

I agree this is the “right” question for the ROK to ask “itself”, but IMO it’s an irrelevant one for the current ROK administration. Their main concern seems to be to “kick the can” of reunification down the road as far as possible, while continuing to get themselves re-elected.

The key question for me is “In propitiating the North as it does, does the current ROK government truly reflect the will of ROK voters?”

If you read the previous threads here, you’ll know I was bombarded by postings from those who assert it doesn’t. I’m not so sure.

(Main Entry: pro?·pi?·ti?·ate
Pronunciation: prO-’pi-shE-”At
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -at?·ed; -at?·ing
Etymology: Latin propitiatus, past participle of propitiare, from propitius propitious
Date: 1583
: to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of : APPEASE, CONCILIATE
synonym see PACIFY)

(Definition offered as a convenience, it’s not meant to slight anyone’s English skills. It was the word I wanted but I had to look it up myself to be sure).

By: nonkorean

nonkorean — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 09:15:12 +0000

Virtual wonderer hits on a good theme.

North Korea has long asked South Korea to not take North Korean hungry and poor defectors. Remember when those 100 or so defectors reached South Korea via a third country and NK freaked out? Sk has actually complied somewhat with North Korea’s request of refusing North Korean defectors. Now NK must turn away SK drunken fools.

It seems whenever SK wins a particular “battle” with NK, NK says OK lets not play this game and SK complies. Playing propaganda at the DMZ was heavily in favor of SK until they agreed with NK to stop. When more North Koreans started believing SK propaganda than South Koreans believing NK propaganda, North Korea said hey lets not play this game. Basically SK won and was stupid enough not to continue winning the hearts and minds of North Koreans. South Korea is easily winning the defector battle. So NK says lets not play out this battle and SK complies. SK will send away the defectors. Every time SK starts winning they give up.

Is SK trying to win or lose?