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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Korean Troop Cuts Tempt U.S. |
| 2005-10-04 |
| The U.S. Forces Korea are reportedly mulling additional troop cuts after Seoul announced it will trim its own forces down from 680,000 to 500,000 by the year 2020. "When the government announced its plans to cut 180,000 men from the armed forces, the USFK internally started to acknowledge the need for cuts as well,� a high-ranking government source said Monday. The source said there were some among USFK brass who wonder whether there is any point maintaining the substantial American contingent here to deter the North Korean threat even as South Korea is slimming down its forces. Personnel cuts got under way after the two allies agreed last October to a 12,500-man reduction in USFK fighting strength -- from 37,000 to around 24,500 -- by 2008. Some in the U.S. military are said to be concerned that Korea’s own troop reductions could leave the Pentagon without a case to argue in the event the U.S. Congress demands additional withdrawal of troops from Korea. The source said the U.S. was sensitive about troop cuts and had expressed unease that South Korea did not consult it last year before deciding to cut 40,000 troops by 2008. However, a USFK insider said, "No one has brought the issue of further troop reductions up for discussion yet, so at this point it is impossible to foresee what changes will really happen after 2008.� |
| Posted by:Phereger Unimble9361 |
| #13 JM, drop the dosage a bit, m'okay? |
| Posted by: Scott R 2005-10-04 22:40 |
| #12 When the Norkies implode and go democratic, then America can bring the troops home - until then, all we're doing by pulling back is helping waffling dialecticist Commie Fascists = Fascist Communists Chicoms and anti-American American SOcialist RINO's take over Japan, Asia, and PACRIM. The Chicoms want Japan, the Philippines, SE + SW Asia, PACRIM-MIcronesia, and HAWAII iff they can get it. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2005-10-04 22:21 |
| #11 Have all the American troops cleared Germany yet? Guess not being white anglo-saxon means less commitment. When Korea can support Middle-East operations with an airbase like Ramstein and a hospital like Landstuhl (and help pay for their operation), then you can start making comparisons between the two. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2005-10-04 19:55 |
| #10 got it. |
| Posted by: Elmineger Slick4168 2005-10-04 17:57 |
| #9 Agreed, Dreadnought, no surprise broadly. That's why the message is that they didn't consult about something that is a no brainer. Get it? |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2005-10-04 17:40 |
| #8 While the Koreans should have consulted with us, there is less here than meets the eye. There is universal conscription in South Korea, and as they have improved the professionalism of their forces and their technological edge over the Nuts of the North, their desire for draftees has diminished. |
| Posted by: Dreadnought 2005-10-04 17:00 |
| #7 "Don't even leave cab fare on the dresser" Lol. That be cold, bro... |
| Posted by: .com 2005-10-04 16:37 |
| #6 Have all the American troops cleared Germany yet? Guess not being white anglo-saxon means less commitment. Fair trade, US troops out of Korea, Korean troops [third largest of the Coalition force] out of Iraq. Comparing the number of German troops in Iraq, it won't be a problem. |
| Posted by: Javish Cloluper9355 2005-10-04 16:36 |
| #5 If nothing else, it (pulling out completely) sends a message to others who like to bitch and moan about our presence, yet expect us to protect them. Don't even leave cab fare on the dresser |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-10-04 12:56 |
| #4 The source said the U.S. was sensitive about troop cuts and had expressed unease that South Korea did not consult it last year before deciding to cut 40,000 troops by 2008. Not a problem. Take ALL U.S. troops out of SK immediately, and without any "consulting" to boot. If they can do it, we can do it. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-10-04 12:47 |
| #3 Pull them all out, now. No need to stay. |
| Posted by: Whiskey Mike 2005-10-04 12:31 |
| #2 According to a recent article on www.strategypage.com, we're planning on reducing U.S. Army forces in Korea to a single brigade combat team. Any smaller than that and we may as well pull out entirely. |
| Posted by: Pat Phillips 2005-10-04 12:29 |
| #1 Pull out all of our forces and let the Koreans worry about themselves. |
| Posted by: mmurray821 2005-10-04 11:41 |