| Submit your comments on this article |
| China-Japan-Koreas |
| DOD visit to Seoul: we may pull U.S. troops if there is no agreement on various issues |
| 2005-06-09 |
| A U.S. defense official paid a secret visit to Seoul this week and told his South Korean counterparts that Washington might withdraw its troops if the two sides continue to disagree on various bilateral issues, local media reported Thursday. South Korea's Foreign Ministry acknowledged the visit by U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Richard Lawless, but refused to disclose what was discussed during his meetings Monday and Tuesday. Local newspapers reported that Lawless said Washington might have to withdraw its troops if Seoul keeps disagreeing on a range of issues, including Pentagon plans for its forces to be more flexible and potentially operate across the region. The reports in the Hankyoreh and Munhwa dailies, along with various Internet media, cited South Korean defense officials and diplomats. The Foreign Ministry dismissed the media reports as "not being in line with the trend of close cooperation between (South) Korea and the United States." While not directly refuting the reported comments by Lawless, the ministry said in a statement that "the Korea-U.S. alliance is not so weak that it could be swayed by comments from one or two officials." The reports come on the eve of a Friday meeting in Washington between U.S. President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun where the two leaders are aiming to patch up strains in their alliance over differences in dealing with North Korea. ADVERTISEMENT Roh has previously expressed concern that plans for U.S. troops here to be a more flexible force might unwillingly embroil South Korea in regional conflicts. About 32,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty. Washington plans to cut down the number to about 24,500 in coming years as part of a worldwide redeployment of its forces. |
| Posted by:too true |
| #5 Much of this appeasement and feelings of racial solidarity with NK is generational. SK has had 50 years of of uneasy peace. Those that have memories of life on either side of the 38th parallel and the war are now over 60 years old. Like the war generation in western Europe, they are dying off. In it's place are a generation in power who have only known peace enforced by American power. They see American tanks rolling through the streets and soldiers in their bars. They don't see the life on the other side of the DMZ/iron curtain and their educational/media/cultural institutions feed their prejudices. Bottom line. Welcome them back to reality. Americans have no obligation to continue to provide for their comfort and feelings of racial superiority. Their freedom and safety is their responsibility. Withdraw and reevaluate trade relations. Trade with out allies, ignore neutrals and boycott enemies. The Soviet Union would be alive, well, prosperous and even more threatening if our leaders had followed the crazy trading non-strategy we have today. |
| Posted by: ed 2005-06-10 00:15 |
| #4 South Korea - the France of E. Asia..... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2005-06-09 22:49 |
| #3 Means two things. 1. SK expects the US to help them if they are attacked. 2. SK does not plan on helping the US in any other conflict. Like NK vs Japan, China vs Japan/Taiwan/US. |
| Posted by: Laurence of the Rats 2005-06-09 22:45 |
| #2 Roh has previously expressed concern that plans for U.S. troops here to be a more flexible force might unwillingly embroil South Korea in regional conflicts. Which means what, exactly? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2005-06-09 21:46 |
| #1 Might?? Just do it. The SKors have been assisted long enough; it's time for them to sink or swim on their own. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-06-09 20:30 |