don’t tell me about koreans funding ieds when the us freely associates with the source of so much radicalism. saudi arabia is one of the primary sources for those who blow up our soldiers.

lastly, allowing the 21 young people to die is not an option for the koreans. they’ll have to do what they have to gain their release. i fully support their actions.

JK we are just going to have to accept that Spewer is the tin man here- someone who just doesn’t have a heart, at least for the hostages.

Not sure what the Koreans had to give in return for these two free hostages, if anything. Does anyone know for sure?

If I were the Korean Government, I would put cement block shoes on all of these alleged churches, to keep them from wandering, and publicly warn them that if they go and get captured, they are on their own — completely.

mujahedeen, osama bin laden, the united states of america. understand?

You might have had a valid point here, if airplanes were falling out of the sky as a result of the mujaheddin’s leftover Stinger missiles.

In any case, the US supported the mujaheddin to stack the deck against a Soviet victory in Afghanistan. It was done in support of American geopolitical aims. Paying ransom to the Taliban is in no way analogous—unless Korea’s geopolitical aims include encouraging terrorists to kidnap Korean citizens.

‘It will be interesting to see how many more weapons and explosives will brought into Afghanistan after the huge ransom was paid. More on the hostage release at….’

mujahedeen, osama bin laden, the united states of america. understand?

So, I am optimistic Korean culture will learn and adapt sooner rather than later.

As for foreign policy, however, I have zero confidence in Roh, the LDP, and the Korean Left in general. The short-sighted efforts to bring home fellow Koreans will only create more problems down the road for both the safety of other Koreans traveling in dangerous places and also for the U.S.-Korea alliance.

There may be only so much whining and blaming of the U.S. that American policy-makers will continue to put up with.

Re: #23
“I’m hoping for a beginning in the next US administration. Won’t happen with a Democratic one though IMO.”

If Obama gets elected, he’ll likely pull troops from Korea to invade Pakistan. If not then, he’ll need them when he truly starts WW-III with the Muslim world. It seems the accusations of immaturity ring true with Obama. *sigh*

Churches in America != Churches in Korea

JK,

You’re a smart guy, so I’m sure you understand that just because you are Korean, that does not automatically mean you know more about Korean culture (in Korea) than foreigners living in Korea. We’re here (in Korea) every day and talk with Koreans (living in Korea) every day.

Heck, I’m sure you know a lot more about American culture these days than I do. I haven’t spent significant time in the U.S. in almost 2 years.