Chosun Ilbo columnist/chief ideologue Kim Dae-joong is concerned. With the prospect of transferring wartime operation command from the U.S.-led Combined Forces Command to the ROK military looming ever greater, Kim apparently doesn’t like the way Korea is preparing for its “independent” future:
A full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Korea is now a foregone conclusion. The Sept. 14 Seoul-Washington summit will proclaim the principle of handing over wartime operational control of our forces to Seoul and dismantling Combined Forces Command, and the bilateral Security Consultative Meeting in October will then agree on the conditions and timetable. With that, the U.S. presence in Korea will start winding down. The two countries say a document will pledge the continued presence of some U.S. troops in Korea and the dispatch of U.S. reinforcements in time of war, but we have to wait and see. As a military power, the U.S. will not tolerate a situation that places its forces under a foreign country’s military operational control in a foreign land.
Well, at least he’s got the right attitude about the whole thing. The whole “wait and see” part, that is. And he’s probably right—I can’t see a large U.S. ground presence on the peninsula for much longer. There’s simply no need for it. But while Kim is correct that the United States ordinarilly avoids putting its forces under foreign military control, nobody is talking about putting U.S. forces under ROK control—all that is being discussed is putting ROK troops under ROK command.
It is probably correct to assume that if a nuclear war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. will not throw its ground troops here, though there could be Air Force support. Although the presidential hopefuls say they will “renegotiate” the matter if elected, the outcome of next year’s presidential election will carry little meaning since U.S. President George W. Bush, far from being open to renegotiation, seems bent on concluding the matter before the Roh Moo-hyun administration leaves office.
Actually, if a nuclear war were to break out, the United States probably would send ground troops to Korea if said war were attended by the collapse of South Korean military resistence. Whether it should is another matter entirely. He’s correct about the Bush administration mercifully trying to bring this longstanding joke to a conclusion on Roh’s watch, and about this, I must confess some mixed feelings. I wholehardedly support a restructuring of the Korea-U.S. alliance in light of present capabilities and the changing geopolitical landscape. It might be better for both parties, however, to wait until Roh and Co. return to the private sector and the Pentagon has harder-headed partners to work with. As emotionally rewarding as it may be to force Roh to eat a great big shitburger, you’d hope foreign policy decisions of this magnitude aren’t being made to punish particular political leaders, especially ones who probably wouldn’t even recognize it’s a shitburger they’re eating.
Koreans have allowed themselves to be dragged around by the political ambition and dogmatic imagination of those in power. Former president Kim Dae-jung, in producing the 2000 inter-Korean joint declaration, tried to give the impression that North Korea has neither intention nor capability to invade the South, and that it has somehow agreed to the continued presence of U.S. forces in the South even after unification. The people became thus convinced that the North’s military capabilities are inferior to ours and that the protective umbrella of U.S. forces will safeguard us in perpetuity, and as a result they let down their guard. Kim Dae-jung either misread the signs or deceived the people. What’s more, Korean society, whose ruling generation has no memory of the Korean War, is becoming indifferent to security while being easily convinced that “national independence” is everything and that opportunistic politicians are bent on “cashing in” on security issues.
I’m not going to go out of my way to defend former president Kim Dae-jung, but I will say that DJ wasn’t the only one who failed to get with the program. The belief that the United States would stay in Korea indefinitely is one that crosses ideological boundaries. Right wingers believe the alliance—and the troop presence that comes with it—to be forged in blood. Left wingers believe Korea is so important to American imperial schemes for regional hegemony that they’d never leave on their own accord. Few had the foresight to see that Washington might actually question the benefits of the U.S. presence on the peninsula and that the day might come when the United States decided to pursue its regional interests through new security arrangements. It’s not like the Grand National Party has “gotten it” any more than Roh administration. Sometimes, it appears the GNP is operating under the assumption that if it takes power, it can restore the Korea-U.S. alliance to the way it was, and that just ain’t going to happen. Too much has changed. This is not to say that Korea and the United States cannot enjoy a flourishing alliance with one another, but that alliance will have to be of a very different character from the one they have now.
It is time to wake up. We must face the reality that the Republic of Korea could collapse if it fails to defend itself. Further squabbles over the continued stay of U.S. forces or sole exercise of operational control are pointless. They would only hang out our dirty linen for the U.S. to see. Now that the shield that has protected us is disappearing, all our energies must be concentrated on how we will safeguard our security and maintain our economy.
Collapse if the ROK fails to defend itself? Yes, that’s usually how it works. And yes, now that the shield is being (at least partially) withdrawn, it would be nice if a serious discussion of Korea’s security issues were to arise.
The most urgent task is to prevent the “sea of fire” and the “flames of war” North Korea has threatened us with. What the North was afraid of most was that a military provocations would kill U.S. troops and invite American retaliation. Come to that, it was what the U.S. was most concerned about as well. With the USFK gone, the door will be open for the North to risk a more dangerous gamble. The chances that it will cause explosive chaos in the South with a local provocation or military demonstrations have increased, so we cannot let the North underestimate our defense capabilities. We must modernize our weaponry and boost our civil defense to the level of Israel. We must develop long-range missiles and establish strategies to confront the North’s weapons of mass destruction.
I’m not going to belittle the North Korean threat, or the danger that an end to U.S. security commitments to South Korea might embolden North Korea to do things it ordinarily wouldn’t. I will say this should not be of American concern—South Korea asked for its “independence,” and now it must enjoy it—but obviously, it should be of concern to Seoul. Frankly, however, the most urgent task for South Korea is not containing the North Korean threat, but figuring out how it will cope when the inevitable North Korean collapse comes.
Good luck with that Israeli-level civil defense system, by the way.
To do so, we have to pay more taxes. We must accept that independent defense is neither easy nor cheap. The ruling and opposition parties and their presidential aspirants must present specific blueprints on those matters in the next presidential election. If we are incapable of or unwilling to do so, we must perforce appease the North. To prevent a play with fire in our country, we must turn the other cheek, give if asked, and not provoke the North lest it should get angry. Perhaps that is the path leftwing administrations like Roh Moo-hyun’s already plan to take.
Ah, reality strikes. Just for comparison’s sake, Israel spends roughly 10 percent of its GDP on defense. Taiwan’s defense spending was 2.4 percent of GDP last year. South Korea spends about 2.8 percent with plans to jack that up 3.2 percent, but to replace USFK’s capabilities, Seoul might have to double its defense budget. Personally, though, I see no reason at all why anyone should feel they have to appease the North, since the North is in an even shittier situation security-wise, with fuel shortages, poorly maintained and antiquated equipment, and men in poor health.
The next government must conduct a multifarious foreign policy for the sake of multilateral and regional security. We must reconsider our policy toward Japan, which is now slanted toward national pride. We have to acknowledge that our quest for “independence” cannot be a hindrance when Japan, joining hands with the U.S., pursues Asian hegemony. Across the sea to our west, there is China, North Korea’s ally, emerging as a world power. Our diplomacy toward China could be a ledger of our security.
Ain’t geopolitics grand—it’s like 1894 all over again! And to top it off, more talk about Japanese ambitions for regional hegemony. If you listen closely, you can here the Zeros coming.
Third, we must try to effectively cope with the economic factors at home and abroad that could damage a country from which the U.S. forces are gone. That will require consistent promotion of economic diplomacy and policy to prevent the outflow of foreign capital and the decline of domestic production. Only then can we deal with the natural consequences for a people and a nation who have chosen the wrong politics.
Damn, that’s grim. But frankly, I’m skeptical that the withdrawal of U.S. troops will impact the economy all that much. Actual economic policies, rather than the presence of foreign troops, are probably much more important in this regard.
Sphere: Related Content
45 Comments
S.K. could prepare for raising its defense budget by ending the automatic yearly (unmonitored) “humanitarian” aid to N.K. along with shutting down Kaesong and the Geumgang Mountain tours–that would save tens of millions of dollars already.
The combination of U.S. troops leaving and a failed FTA, if that happens, could adversely affect Korea’s “country risk” as well — U.S. businesses would have less incentive to invest here and other nations’ businesses might see instability as well.
I think it’s long been assumed that the U.S. would throw mucho dollars to S.K. when the North collapsed based on the alliance, and the recent moves even put that assumption to the test.
Thank you, Robert, for bringing this article. Kim Dae-joong is seeing the situation correct. This is such a important topic, I wrote a piece on it.
http://koreanamerican431.blogspot.com/
Basically, Koreans are being lied to in that
1) NK will never attack SK.
2) If attacked, SK will win.
Both are blantant lies. The second Korean war is coming as we speak.
Explain to me again how North Korea would defeat the South, Baduk?
as a korean-american, i want nothing more than an alliance that is healthy and mutually beneficial. but i want roh to eat shitburger. and i want the young and the lefty koreans who voted roh into office to eat shitburger. but the problem is, roh is so stupid, he won’t even know what a shitburger is. and lot of my close friends and family will have to suffer the consequences of this dumbass. they will end up eating shitburger too. it’s amazing how incompetent this guy is.
Well, I did write some possibilities in my article.
In the 1950 Korean War, North Koreans got Soviet tanks that caught South Koreans totally unprepared. SKs were expecting no tanks or inferior tanks used by the Japanese.
These Soviet tanks were something else. Koreans did everything they could, running suicide attack on it, shooting cannons, going underneath with a landmine, etc. Nothing worked. As a result, SKs lost. They had no information about Soviet tanks and they had nothing to stop it.
What if NKs get something like that from China. A biological germs which SKs have no antidote for. A new chemical agent that can kill SKs that are not prepared for. How about tactical nuclear shells that takes out a 1000 soldiers per shot? Something that SKs are not prepared for.
How about going around DMZ that are strongly fortified? Use the Nazi idea on France. China is a friend of NK and what if it lets NKs to use its ports. NKs will get on troop ships(could be even Chinese warships) and move in the back of Korean defense line.
Or, just carpet-shelling with their long-range artillery. This action alone may kill the president and all generals who are in Seoul, within the range of the guns. Or, use spies to attack all of them at the same time.
There are many scenarios that SKs have not prepared for. There are many!
SK will lose. NK cannot lose because China will protect it, just as in Korean War. The best SK can hope for is to hold it long enough for the US to arrive. But, would the US come?
Korean army is so unprepared for sudden attack. All NK needs is a big celebration event. A turning over of Yongsan base, for example. Or, a big golf tournament.
All army brass will be there. They are not supposed to be in one place, but you know how Koreans ignore rules. All of them will be there! A bomb can wipe out entire control and command structure of Korean Army.
Korean military is very unprepared. They have no scenario worked out for this or other possibility. Even if it did, no senior officer would like their job to be able to be done by his subordinates. There are some authorities and passwords that only these generals know. Their simultaneous and sudden demise will freeze entire Korean Army. I bet on it.
Korean Army, while not a banana republic militia, are not in caliber of US Army or even Nazi army in terms of thoroughness. There many, many holes in Korean military preparedness. It will so easy for NK to take advantage of it.
So we’re basically hosed, is that what you’re saying Baduk? No way! I will fight to the end even if my only weapon is a wooden chopstick I took from a dead kimbap delivery guy!
No screw that I’m moving to Jamaica
Michael,
Only way to prevent this is for a general like Park JungHee or Chun DooWhan to storm into the blue house, arrest the president and declare martial law.
I hate to advocate what these generals have done, basically an act of treason, but I understand and condone them now. There are just too many Commies in Korea who want to bring this democracy under Chinese Communism. It is Asian thing, I guess. Got to kill them before they gain power!
This general will give enough support for the US troops to stay in Korea. Enough money and training ground for the troops. And, he will strengthen the ties between two countries. As the US move neutral between China and Japan, Korea will stick to the US like rice grains in a kimbob. Bring two countries closer than ever, in economics and in defense.
That is the only way! A revolution, as Park used to say.
I think the conservative press here (Chosun, Donga, Joongang) is projecting their hatred of Roh on to the Pentagon and Bush. I don’t think there’s any personal animus toward Roh emanating from Washington. To say there is would mean they actually gave a shit about Roh.
I think the simple answer is that priorities have shifted and this alliance is no longer worth the resources that could be better used elsewhere. Japan shares a strategic vision of Asia with the U.S. that Korea doesn’t. Roh is simply providing an excellent excuse to get the ball rolling on something that should’ve been done in the late 90s.
Baduk, you probably know the retired generals can’t stand Roh, and there’s most likely a similar feeling in Washington:
“U.S. officials have said any agreement would be unrelated to South Korea’s new political landscape and instead reflect the country’s vastly improved military preparedness. But the developments nevertheless have left the impression among many pro-American South Koreans that Washington has simply grown tired of Seoul’s embrace of the belligerent North, as well as the deep-seated anti-Americanism within some circles of South Korea’s ruling Uri Party.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....01193.html
I hope we make it to the next elections in both countries….
If Koreans can be a consistent pro-American ally as Japan is, the US will stay in the peninsula. If Korean Army is willing to aid in the future endeavors of the US, attack on Iran for example, the US will be happy to stay here.
In VietNam, Korean soldiers fought side-by-side with the US forces. The same thing can be done in Iran. The US will like this muliti-national force idea and find Korea to be a very useful ally.
A fate of country can be doomed by a handful of pro-Commie politicians? It is so unfair. Many, thousands and thousands, of Koreans will die.
Good grief, the Cat is crazy. Admiral Baduk, do you really believe that a military coup d’etat will restore Korea to America’s good graces? Things have changed, mon frere, and America is not in the dictator-backing business any more — at least not if there is any choice. Without worldwide Communism to oppose, there is no need to cozy up to any Korean dictator. Besides, we’re already pretty sick of getting to wear the blame for Chun Doo Hwan and Kwangju. A reversal in Korea’s democracy would hasten the Yankee withdrawal.
Wedge, I think anti-Americanism certainly played a part in Rummy saying S.K. can defend itself and setting the 2009 deadline, even if the overall drawdown was in motion already. Look at what Henry Hyde said recently: “However, mixed signals on the security question, coming from Seoul, only compound the challenge we face with North Korea. The Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense White Paper for 2004 contained an apparent contradiction which causes some confusion. On the one hand, it deleted the designation of Pyongyang as “the main enemy,” although Pyongyang’s continued hostility has been a major rationale for the US-ROK alliance. Second, the White Paper stated that, in the event of armed conflict in Korea, the U.S. would dispatch 690,000 troops B over four times the 150,000 U.S. forces now serving in Iraq. This seems to reflect great expectations at a time when U.S. resources are already elsewhere committed. Congress would certainly have a major role in examining the implications of such a massive deployment. It also raises a very germane issue: if you need our help, please tell us clearly who your enemy is.”
http://www.icasinc.org/2005/2005l/2005lhjh.html
That’s the sound of an exasperated Washington.
Brendon,
Bush is not Carter; Bush is busy going after terrorists. This new general will reduce terrorism by killing Korean Commies. Besides, Bush will need friends to attack Iran. More the better. I think at the present time, only countries that will support the attack will be England and Japan. Maybe Australia.
Korea has strong Army. Korea can be a valuable resources once the action starts considering Iran will not be as easy as Iraq.
Michael,
Interesting article. It is like a request for a dimond ring coming from an ex-wife. Four times of the US forces in Iraq? Dream on. How about none? Can Korea handle that?
Baduk:
Nice blanket statement about Koreans and Vietnam. Of the 300 or more books I’ve read, not to mention a thesis on the failure of the US officer corps during the Vietnam War that I wrote in university, I’ve never heard of or read about Korean and US troops fighting “side by side”. Remember the thing called a language barrier?!! At times units ran joint operations together, not to mention some crossover (particularly in the Marines and LRP/LRRP/Ranger units, but not limited only to these units), but that’s about it. The Koreans had four army divisions and a marine brigade in which sometimes crossover occured with US forces, but to the degree like Baduk seems to think. Give up on the strategic studies there Baduk. I thought you would’ve quit after the whole Australia aircraft carrier thing. Jeezz!
Baduk, do you propose that George Bush declare martial law in the United States, outlaw the opposition party, and have himself appointed President-for-Life? George Bush is going to be a former president by January 2009 — a little more than two years from now. America is fighting to install democracy in the Middle East. Surely George Bush won’t wish to add reversal of Korean democracy to his legacy.
The thing I don’t get here about Marmot posts like this one is the complete absence of a particularly important factor in all of these defense calculations: China. Who really believes that the Chinese would simply stand back if North and South Korea were ever to go to war again, or if the North seemed to be teetering on the verge of collapse? When in the last 700 years has China not intervened in Korea’s foreign affairs, except to the extent checked by an even stronger foreign influence? Yet once you factor China into the equation, all this talk of South Korea being able to fully defend itself seems utterly hollow - which I suppose is why those inclined to making such statements virtually never do.
Baduk may not have the strongest grip on reality of those who post regularly here, but on this issue his anxiety is closer to the mark than the smug calculations based solely on looking at intra-Korean economic indicators and a (likely false) assumption that Americans will be sanguine about committing their young men to the defense of a country from which they were only recently driven by left-wing ingrates.
there will be no war…until at least 2008. china wouldn’t allow it considering the beijing olympics.
China might very well stand back if South and North Korea go to war–in fact it might seal its border to keep refugees out. China wants to be a world player, it’s got a complex economic relationship with the U.S. that didn’t exist in the Korean War, and N.K. is a failed state that no country wants to be associated with.
The South Korean economy does not pose a threat to China. A larger re-unified Korea under South Korean control does not pose a greater threat, it leads to more stability and more Chinese power. China will not go to war over a worthless North Korean government - they’d be happy to get rid of ‘em, they just don’t want to make the first move.
Michael: What you quote is one congressman out of 435 (although he’s a bit more powerful than most others). He’s free to make comments like that because he only represents his district. He’s not an administration mouthpiece. Like someone else said, you don’t toss out an alliance because of one bad leader, you toss it out because in the wider scheme of things it’s not as important as it used to be. If the GNP gets elected in 2007 and collectively begs Bush to change it won’t matter one iota.
Wedge,
Re: Comment # 9. Spot on.
And to those who think South Korea, alone, would easily win a war against the North…think again. The North has trained for war since…the last one. The South Korean army is made up mostly of conscripts who don’t give a damn, and NCOs and officers who wear slippers and flip flops around the office (See it all the time, folks). In the South Korean military, there’s absolutely no trust between ranks…heck, you have officers doing the jobs that E-1’s do in the U.S. military and you have NCO’s and officers treating their subordinates like shit. You can give a military all the sophisticated harware you want, but without proper training, resources, and the will to use that hardware, it’s useless.
And it looks like North Korea is prepping up for a war with “thousands” begging to join the service. This article says so: http://joongangdaily.joins.com.....09231.html
Show down in Korea coming soon?
michael & hardyandtiny,
You guys are misled by newspapers. In military intelligence, there are many facts unknown to civilians. The Chinese are definitely helping NK militarily but they deny everything in the paper, as they did in VietNam situation.
Despite what you read in civilian newspapers, China and NK are tight. Very tight. They have mutual defense agreement and they will stand by it 100%.
China WILL help NK clandestinely once the war starts. The US will be busy fighting Iran and the only thing she will do is to file a protest in the UN. But, that is about it. The US will just sweep it under the rug.
When China sees NK in losing side of the battle, it will actually commit troops. Yes, it will be 1950 all over again. As Hans wrote, China will not be a imbecile bystander in this situation. They will commit troops. I am very certain of this. Even Russia may enter the war on the side of NK. You guys haven’t thought about that, have you?
Nomad,
You are absolutely right. Despite what you may have heard about Korean efficiency, Korean military is a gigantic bureaucracy with heavy dose inefficiency and hypocracy. There are so many lies about Korean military capability.
For example, if you hear that Korea has 100 fighter planes, just believe 10 of them are operation with full capability. 90 of them only exist in paper. 50 of them are old to fly and 40 of them are waiting for a spare part that is obsolete. Full of lies.
And, as Nomad wrote, internal problem of Korean society, the hugh gap between the rich and the poor, will prevent Koreans from fighting as an unit. Many of them will turn pro-North and join NK side. Do you know that one year prior to Korean war, a whole buttalion of south Korean troops joined NK side? It will happen again in the coming Korean War II.
The lack of fighting spirit in Korean Army will be severe. Many young men have been taught that the war is a way toward Korean unification. They dream about unification and see the coming war as a way to achieve that. Many of these dreamers will refuse to fight. They will abandon their station and run while thinking they are doing the right thing for Korea.
Just abominable!!!!
But again, Baduk, what business is it of the United States if Koreans don’t have the will to defend themselves?
There are heavy Chinese military exercises going on in the Backdu mountain area, the border between China and NK. Korean newspapers report that this shows two countries are at odds.
I don’t think so. China may be exercising their troop movement in the event of Korean War. They may be running supply drills and weapon locations.
And, the recent trip by KJI to China, that probably has taken place, may be to work out the post-US withdrawal scenario. KJI is eager to start a war and Hu is thinking about how to conceal China’s involvement while supplying NK with the most modern weapons China has.
I believe the war is coming. It probably will be after Beijing olympics as Seoulmilk pointed out, but KJI is difficult to tell. With Iran brewing, he may be eager to start. Ready and willing to kill his own kind, as his father did. Hu may grant his wish as long as he conceals China’s involvement well.
Brendon Carr,
You are absolutely right. Koreans are so f***ed up right now that they cannot tell their asshole from a hole in the ground.
But, the US helped Korea, an unknown small country in Asia, and many people including Koreans, Americans, Canadians, British, etc have died to preserve Korean democracy. It probably was done due to Providence. I do not see any other explaination.
All I can say is to please help Korea. There is a fellow named Kim, a former general and a president of Korean company, and yesterday he was pleading with Rumsfeld to reconsider. He approached Rice and begged her not to weaken the ties between two countries. He was chased away by security guards but he was adament.
I will do the same. There are many who visit here who have no idea about the impact of this event. I am originally from Korea and have worked with Korean military as a US Navy officer. And, I plead as Kim did yesterday. Please do not weaken the ties between two countries. It is the death certificate for Korea.
As Americans overlook the present madness and keep the faith, Koreans will turn around. They always do. And, once again, Korea will stand next to the US.
Please, I plead with everyone who visit this website. I beg of you to reconsider. Many, thousand and millions of Koreans will die, and die soon, if the US deserts Korea.
I will beg. I will beg for your reconsideration.
Most of non-military types have vague idea on what I am talking about. The ties between two countries have a solid object to prove it.
There is a US-Korea combined military command located in Korea (Pyungtaeg?) that oversees Korean defense. If the war breaks out, this command will use the US army and Airforce to defend Korea and communicate with the US administration to bring more troops.
When Rumsfeld’s suggestion of 2009 goes through, this command will dissolve in that year. There will be no combined command and each will do separate operations.
Everyone knows if this suggestion, that is being pushed hard by Rumsfeld, is taken then there will be few American troops remaining in Korea by that year. Only liaison officers and some military advisors will be in Korea.
Rumsfeld wants to take troops out of Korea. He doesn’t care about the defense of Korea. Like Atchison drew a defense line excluding Korea, he is making it clear that the US no longer protects Korea. He is making that statement to NK and China.
He is feeding a virgin to three sex starved maniacs, NK, China and Russia (and possibly Japan), and he is washing his hands. I know he is thinking that Korea is strong to defend itself against NK. But, is it true?
In any case, he is changing the power balance in the region toward a conflict. He is in effect killing Koreans. Yes, don’t make any excuse about it.
I know, I know, Koreans are the first to blame. Being such jackasses, they do not know a good thing when they have it. And, they blew it. But, can America show mercy? Willing to educate these savages?
I plead for reconsideration. I beg of you.
Look at these grandpas. They are afraid of what will happen next.
http://www.chosun.com/politics.....10371.html
They are former generals in Korean Army. Some fought in VietNam in support of the US. They said,
한반도에 전쟁이 재발할 경우 13만7천여명의 미군 장병을 비롯한 유엔군의 고귀한 희생과 지난 50년간 한국전쟁의 재발방지를 위한 한미양국의 노력이 수포로 돌아갈 것
” When the war starts again in Korea, 137,000 UN troops including Americans who have given their precious lives to defend this country along with all the efforts in past fifty years by the US and Korea to prevent return of hostilities will become null and void”
Well, those bodybags in Iraq aren’t filling up by themselves…
Feeding a virgin to sex-starved maniacs? Hardly. More like washing one’s hands of Drunk Girl.
Admit it. Some of you bloggers dearly wish for Korea to go to War so you can go on to say “I told you so” or “those people deserved it”. The fact is, if the North decides to strike, it is the beginning of WWIII, which I honestly believe that some in the US gov’t want. Ultimately, the war may start in Korea, but it will reach around the world…and everyone will share the suffering.
Damn, that’s grim. But frankly, I’m skeptical that the withdrawal of U.S. troops will impact the economy all that much.
Yes and no. Korea has begun a precipitous and probably irreversible downward economic spiral and it has only itself to blame. GDP has slipped below Brazil\’s with Russia, Australia, Mexico and others rushing ahead.
Let\’s not forget that the key contributor to Korean quick growth spurt was that it hitched a ride on the US star. Now with the fundamentals of a capitalist system barely in place, it seeks independence from that star. This would be well and good if there were a plan B in place but, as we all know, there is no such plan - just stubborn arrogance and massive incompetence.
has been their squandering its link to the US is one of the key contributors but
http://english.chosun.com/w21d.....80030.html
O prophet baduk,
allow me to pay my respects. all this time I had not realized a “prophet” is a fellow blogger.. how bout that..? Baduk..a prophet.
or should i say, grasshopper…
have some dignity. do not grovel to the slugs.
having said that, i say “unification” at any cost. S.K without U.S interference, should launch first strike against N.K, even with all the consequences. Even if it means millions upon millions of Korean lives lost. No matter which side wins, it would be better than status quo. Whatever emerges from the ashes will have the benifits of being in a “United Korea”.
Nothings ever gained without sacrifice.
ghola,
War is a devastating phenomenon. Factories get blown up, important engineers and professors die, parents die leaving orphans in the streets, streets and farmland get messed up, etc.
The war can set Korea back by twenty years. Twenty years of poverty and struggle. Twenty years of humiliation and dire economic consequences…just to get back to where things are today.
No thank you. I have lived through post-Korean war time and seen too many people starving. I rather prefer the separated Koreas as things are today than to achieve unification where Korea sinks to NK-like condition.
About groveling…Have you seen thousand people dead? Shot and their body parts blown up.
I have seen a film footage about Korean war. NKs shot Korean soldiers, families, policemen, and left the bodies in the street. A garbage cart was brought in to load the cadabers. Just like the WWII Jewish death camps. Dead bodies piled up on top of each other..like rag dolls.
I will beg. I will plead if I can save one Korean. A life taken without any explaination. Just KJI’s evil intention. Or, is it the Chinese? War is a terrible thing.
When you see dead bodies, thousands of Korean dead bodies, you will beg and plead too. I guarantee it.
days of begging and pleading has passed.
it’s now time for a new korea. a bold and courageous korea, independent of any foreign influence, able to withstand any foreign offensive.
it’s time to put to an end, the miserable existence that’s north korea. time to truly “liberate” the people, the masses, that’s in north korea.
with nukular weapons the nk is to possess soon, i’m afraid the window of opportunity won’t last for too long.
then truly, there will be bodies, like the “grains of sand” you see on your california coast, all over the land of korea..
you must “see” the big picture… prophet.
The lack of fighting spirit in Korean Army will be severe. Many young men have been taught that the war is a way toward Korean unification. They dream about unification and see the coming war as a way to achieve that. Many of these dreamers will refuse to fight. They will abandon their station and run while thinking they are doing the right thing for Korea.
Just abominable!!!!
It’s safe to say that the Korean army is the most abominablist.
have you been sitting under a hot lamp?
Iceberg + hot lamp = no iceberg
ghola-
For the slightly slower among us, check out the “Santa and the Bratty Kid” comments for understanding.
sewing-
Plenty of Iceberg to go around, my friend. Don’t worry.
So to paraphrase Twain, rumours of your melting have been greatly exaggerated?
No melting to speak of. Now, MELT DOWN…that may be another story.
It’s strange how silent Blujives is these days.
I thought this was what he wanted?
Gammazamma, I don’t want to see any war break out just for the sake of saying “I told you so”. But I think it’s time the South Koreans took care of their own defense. America has been doing too much of it for too long and with very little (if any real) thanks.
When I came to Korea 4+ years ago I’d read(and believed) we (America/ROK) were allies. But I’ve had to sit through too many rantings by (mostly) university age kids telling me how America is to blame for EVERYTHING that’s gone wrong in Korea. I’d like to see America make a very polite but prompt exit from Korea and a total end to our Alliance.
If a war did break out, I’d absolutely hate it…(I am living here) but I wouldn’t want to see any more U.S. Troops shed blood for Korea.