The question is why South Korea cannot defend itself, and what it must do to change the situation. Buy more weapons? Increase the military? Then do it.

Let me assure you that if there is war, and American soldiers return back to their homeland in body bags, the American people will push for withdrawal of troops from Korea. It is better for America to support using air force, where American pilots are 10000 feet above ground dropping bombs with little chance of being shot down, or on ships stationed miles away from harms way and launching tomahawks into North Korea, with sailors in their cabins watching the latest World Cup game knowing they will never be hit.

I echo the same opinion as the guy in the Heritage foundation. I have said that US forces in Korea is irrelevant to the defense because of their small number, and US can do more offering intelligense or training to Korean military. The only difference is that when I call for withdrawal of American troops, people call me “anti-American”.

unfortunately, the theory of the 1970s is outdated. the common belief today among socialist and communist is that the goals of socialism can only be achieved through capitalism.

for example, just compare China and US. US is traditionally a capitalist nation while China was traditionally a communist nation.

Yet, the US has been able to attain the goals of being a Worker’s Paradise such as affordable healthcare, quality education for all, social security upon retirement etc. etc. better than China could. Of course, the US only started implementing these ‘worker’s paradise’ goodies in the 1930s to thwart the growing pro-communist movement that was happening then.

the data from real world has shown that to be a good communist you must first be a good capitalist.

Commies are having their celebration in Kwangju and Rho will cut Korean troop strength from 47 divisions to 22 divisions.

The US is slowly pulling troops out of Korea. DOD is hinting that the US role in the event of future Korean conflict will be limited to air/sea support. No land troop involvement.

And, as Korean military takes control of war situation, how they are going to communicate with the US air force? If Korean general tells them to bomb DMZ area, the US airforce will follow Korean general’s order? Snowball in hell.

SK is being sold down the river by Rho government.

I just like to point out that some Koreans do place more trust on the 1953 mutual defense treaty than the piece of paper is worth.

Buy weapons, increase troop strength and get ready. After the US pulls out, it could be bloody.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Peace_Accords

http://www.vietnamwar.com/timeline69-75.htm

December 13, 1974 - North Vietnam violates the Paris peace treaty and tests President Ford’s resolve by attacking Phuoc Long Province in South Vietnam. President Ford responds with diplomatic protests but no military force in compliance with the Congressional ban on all U.S. military activity in Southeast Asia.

January 14, 1975 - Testifying before Congress, Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger states that the U.S. is not living up to its earlier promise to South Vietnam’s President Thieu of “severe retaliatory action” in the event North Vietnam violated the Paris peace treaty.

April 21, 1975 - A bitter, tearful President Thieu resigns during a 90 minute rambling TV speech to the people of South Vietnam. Thieu reads from the letter sent by Nixon in 1972 pledging “severe retaliatory action” if South Vietnam was threatened. Thieu condemns the Paris Peace Accords, Henry Kissinger and the U.S. “The United States has not respected its promises. It is inhumane. It is untrustworthy. It is irresponsible.” He is then ushered into exile in Taiwan, aided by the CIA.

“The US can say, “due to prevalent pro-North atmosphere in Korea, the US will not commit troops in Korea”. Pro-North attitude (even it is only held by a minority) will be a good excuse for the US not to commit troops.”

Seems that this was a definite undertone of the meeting…

However, I am going to make sure that at least some of my students DO see it, it is going to be my lesson material for next week’s writing class….

Deployment of 70% of the North Korean forces within 100km of the DMZ makes their intent crystal clear. Besides the North Korean nukes, there are SCUD missiles to consider too. Ugh.

South Korea needs a leader with some gumption, not a gutless loser like Roh, because if the Koreas are ever to unify, it will most certainly be by force — an “all out war” in fact due to President Clinton’s failure to act while we still had an opportunity to do so w/o having to go nuclear.

–Remort

If you think Bush has no other choice but to defend Korea because the US has signed a piece of paper 50 years ago, you are so naive.

The US can say, “due to prevalent pro-North atmosphere in Korea, the US will not commit troops in Korea”. Pro-North attitude (even it is only held by a minority) will be a good excuse for the US not to commit troops.

Or, the US may say,” SK has sufficient ability to defend itself against NK attack. We will help them by supplying arms, weapons and food so that SK can successful defend against this attack.”(translation: No troop commitment)

Mutual defense treaty does not mean automatic troop commitment. Not at all. The US can wiggle itself out of it.

Korea must increase its defense capability. Buy more weapons. Increase troop strength. Do more military exercises.

None of this is possible with the present pro-North administration. This administration got to go.

–There is no way to ensure that NK does not attack.

“For that reason, I think we have to think in terms of deterrence as well.”

–There is no way to deter. SKs have been sending millions to NK. Did it deter? No. Isn’t it time to try different approach? Actually being a hard-liner against NK and building a huge military may deter NK from making a stupid move. Rho administration is cutting Korean army from 47 divisions to 22 divisions.

” it is in the US’ best interest to stay in SK as well. ”

–Most Americans disagree as you may read in this blog. Having a pro-US government in Korea will make the US forces to stay in Korea.
If Jolla Commies continue, you may see the US leaving Korea in five years, if not sooner.