"Let My People Go"
It appears that issues that many of us Korea bloggers have been blogging about for years is finally getting some ink in the mainstream press:
Perhaps no place does American frustration with South Korea show up so much as among the US military services. Many officers with experience in Korea assert that the US should reduce its troops in Korea or perhaps withdraw all but a token force. One who considers that US forces are almost held hostage in Korea said plaintively: “Let my people go.”
US officers point to running quarrels with the Koreans over issues such as command of US and Korean forces, sharing the cost of US forces in Korea, US access to Korean training areas, moving US forces to new locations, and cleaning up US bases that have been vacated. A particular sticking point: President Roh insists on vetoing US deployments out of Korea to conflicts elsewhere.
You got to love the “Let my people go” quote.
I also find this observation interesting as well:
A small but indicative incident reflecting the American attitude: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates came to the Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaiiin late March to attend the assumption of command by Admiral Timothy Keating. In his remarks at the ceremony, Gates said the Asia-Pacific region is home to “some of America’s oldest and strongest allies.”
He said a “great many partnerships–old and new–have grown considerably stronger in recent years. The restoration of military relations with Indonesia comes to mind, as does the strengthening of our long-standing ties with Japan and Australia.” Gates did not mention South Korea, a rare omission for an American political leader.
Just another sign that Korea is becoming more and more irrelevant.
HT: Matt
I can't say this with certainity, but I think the people most against the US in Korea (non-Koreans, I mean) that I've met have been people most familiar with it.
I can remember some fresh teachers from the US or Canada who said the US military shouldn't be in Korea and whatnot. But, I think the higher percentage of those who want the US out comes from the long term expat community and in particular GIs who have done multiple years of duty in Korea.
That's not a good sign. Not of a healthy relationship.
I think people that do a short tour in Korea tend to think we should pull out forces but those like me who have spent a longer amount of time there think we just need to transform the force and reduce the force footprint. There is one reason northeast Asia has been stable for the past 55 years and that is because of the US presence. Keeping a US presence in Korea and Japan moderates everyones behavior in the area.
The Camp Humphreys location is a needed start to transforming the force there. I really don't think a heavy armor unit like 1BDE, 2ID is needed in Korea. The Air Force is good to keep and possibly having a Stryker brigade either stationed in Korea or rotating to Korea to work with the ROK Army is good thing to do. The relationship between the ROK Army and the US Army is good, it is the political relationship that is in tatters. The US needs to maintain that relationship and keep some kind of force footprint in Korea just a much smaller one which Osan and Camp Humphreys hubs would do.
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I enjoyed my three tours in korea, but I think the force should be severly reduced. To the point of near non-existance. Stick up a flag at Osan and the Hump but there should be no shortage of good parking at the BX/PX. Lets get the hell out of seoul—-please!
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I served 4 tours there, 1960, 1970, 1978, 1981. Korea developed from a war torn 3rd world country, to a solid Asian power, completly able to take care of its self now. Time to pull out….