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S. Korea Leader Says Border Defenses Fine
President Roh Moo-hyun sought to reassure South Koreans who are nervous about the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Seoul, saying Sunday the move will not weaken the country’s defenses against North Korea.
Actually, they shouldn't. Unless the ROK forces have gone downhill in recent years, the U.S. has been providing a magic feather...
On Saturday, U.S. and South Korean officials announced the relocation over the next three years of all U.S. forces from Seoul. The redeployments would put U.S. troops out of the range of North Korean artillery, but commanders say they would still be able to defend the border with high-tech weapons and air power. ``There is nothing to worry about at all,’’ Roh was quoted as saying by his office when he met leaders of the pro-government Uri Party on Sunday.
I don’t see the fuss, we telegraphed this to Roh a good while back.
The withdrawal has spurred fear in South Korea that the U.S. military would no longer serve as a ``trip wire’’ in case of a North Korean invasion - taking immediate casualties and thus ensuring U.S. commitment to a fight.
Why yes, it would give us some flexibility. But I doubt we’d let the NKors just roll through.
About 7,000 American troops will move from their base in the center of Seoul to a U.S. base some 45 miles south of Seoul. But many South Koreans remain opposed to the move. For older Koreans, the base has been a symbol of the U.S.-South Korean alliance that repelled a communist invasion during the 1950-53 Korean War, enabling the security that made South Korea’s economic growth possible. South Korea’s postwar generations, however, often see the foreign military presence in their capital as a slight to national pride. Others complain the 656-acre base occupies prime real estate in Seoul and worsens the city’s chronic traffic congestion.
Clear it and put a mall there. Be happy.
South Korea had asked that a contingent of as many as 1,000 troops remain. But that option foundered on a disagreement over how much land would be needed.
"Sure, Mr. Roh, we can keep 1,000 men there. But you’ll need to give us another 600 acres."
"Whatever for? That’s less men than you have there now!"
"Our boys were hoping to stretch their legs a bit. 600 more acres, please."
"On second thought, you can pull them all out."
Both U.S. and South Korean officials have noted that the redeployment does not reduce the total number of 37,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea.
For now.
Posted by: Steve White 2004-01-19
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=24608