Joshua over at OFK takes Unification Minister Chung Dong-young to task for a contribution he made to the Korea Times.
Go read it. Now.
-
English Books on Korea... and More!
-
Visit My Brother's Film Review Site
Joshua over at OFK takes Unification Minister Chung Dong-young to task for a contribution he made to the Korea Times.
Go read it. Now.
Korea News via Google
11 Comments
Thanks for linking, Robert.
It?€™s amazing that a influential mainstream figure such as Chung spouts anti-America propaganda without even a cursory check of the facts. Chung?€™s actions and the fact that teacher unions are teaching kids to hate Americans even more should send a clear message to America. Pull out now!
The ROK-US ?€œalliance?€? costs billions, provides little in return, and ties our hands when dealing with NK proliferation issues. This 50 year deal has long outlived its usefulness
the scary thing is that chung is a presidential contender. he obviously has no shot this time but he might throw his hat in the ring (for whatever new party that might be created for the occasion) for the exposure/experience. point is, he’ll pull some support and, barring any serious revelations of his idiocy to the greater korean public, he’ll be there for the next go-round in 2013.
I would add to Mac’s statement what is most important to me :
Given everything he said, we also have the tripwire firmly in place, and it doesn’t matter if we have 30,000 - 10,000 - or 5,000 - it will always be there both politically and psychologically.
And the North will remain, no matter how much Sunshine is throw at it, a terminally ill nation. Maybe it can be kept alive forever. Or, maybe it will collapse one day.
And if it collapses, maybe it will do down alone. Or, more likely, it will explode outward.
And the bodybags filled with GI parts will commit the US government to whatever needs to be done to defeat North Korea —- whatever must be done…..if just air support, fine, but don’t count on it, because to not give South Korea whatever, and how many ever extra GIs, it needs would be geopolitical folly.
And psychologically, all those dead GIs killed in the initial first days of the war, the first strikes even, will steel the resolve of the American people to pay whatever price it takes to fight Korean War II.
In short, as long as we leave troops in South Korea, we accept as a nation that if the North folds and explodes outward, we will fight and die again for this very same South Korea.
Maybe in the Cold War, with the Soviet and global threat, and with an ally that was an ally, it made sense.
Now, the best thing going for the alliance
not to belittle what america has done here but… the united states has never fought for korea because it was an ally. it defended freedom, democracy.. blah blah blah… but, to suggest that korea was some type of ally in the 1940s/50s is a bit of a stretch.
that aside, i agree with the thrust of your argument. it’s time for the US to go. for all the reasons mentioned above and more.
I know it’s probably best overall for the US troops to stay here in terms of geopolitics, but with the neverending stream of anti-American vitriol that keeps popping up, even from the highest levels of government, I keep thinking over and over, let’s get the boys outta here!
Do Koreans really want them here? Why do we seem to rarely hear any expressions of support for the US, outside of the odd demonstration by veterans (I know this anti stuff gets more press)? But does the ’silent’ majority truly want the troops to stay? I’m really not so sure, as I think a large number of Koreans have been fed so much crap during their school days by Commie teachers that I’m not sure they truly do want them here. I don’t think that Chung is saying anything that large numbers of Koreans don’t already believe as they’ve been fed this misinformation for years in the school system.
Do Koreans really want them here? Why do we seem to rarely hear any expressions of support for the US?
I dunno…maybe too much time spent at Marmot’s?
The Admiral has blogged.
Agreed, it amazes me that few call him on this shite.
seeingsomethingelse,
Jeong Ddong is no longer a presidential contender. He is a big “liability” for Uri party. The party is dissolving as we speak and Rho may resign as early as March of the next year.
snow,
All these nonsense will disappear soon. I promise you. Korea will become very pro-American as soon as the administration changes. 98% of Koreans just follow the leader. When, the leader changes, Koreans will suddenly make 180-degree turn. Just wait and see.
Yup, 98% of Koreans were following Park Chung Hee during the Pusan Masan uprising (and all that led up to it - and his assassination that followed) in October 1979. 98% of Koreans were following Chun Doo Hwan when he was forced to concede to democratic elections after massive protests by Koreans of all stripes in 1987. You’re once again right on the money, Baduk. I’ll save the link to this comment and post it next April, Mr mudang.
What is PusanMasan uprising? Just 1% causing commotion. 98% did not care one way or another. Most people are not political, you see. They are busy making a living. And, what happened after Park’s assassination? Korean people have happily voted and lived under Pres. Chun and Pres. Nho. Doesn’t it shake your premise about people’s will or movement? You are just buying into the Commie propaganda.
After that, Kim DaeJoong supported Jolla Commies and people let them have the government. It was a nice change from military dictatorship. What is the result? Confusion. Weakening of US-Korean ties. Losing only friend Korea ever had. At this point, Korea is a nation divided and fights can break out at any moment between pro-American and pro-North factions.
People are waiting for a strong leader to break the tie and point the way. They are willing to rally behind him as a united country. Instinctively, Koreans know that it is better to have one voice than the present situation.
As I said, most people (98%) are not political. They just want to survive through coming ideological fights between the extreme rights and the extreme left. The next election is crucial for the future of Korea. It will either doom Korea or propel Korea into the highest achievements.