Hillary Clinton Speaks Up on Korean “Historical Amnesia”
I can’t believe it but I find myself agreeing on something with Hillary Clinton. I have even posted her picture on my blog. Anyway, during the confirmation hearing for the new USFK commander she actually had some good things to say about the current situation here on the Korean peninsula:
Clinton, a Democratic senator for New York, made the comment on Tuesday during a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for new appointees, including Gen. Burwell B. Bell, who is nominated to take over as commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
Addressing recent signs of divergence between the wartime allies, Clinton said the relationship between the United States and South Korea is at a “critical juncture.’’
She argued that the strain in their relationship is due partly to a shift in South Koreans’ “understanding of the importance of our position there and what we have done over so many decades to provide them the freedom that they have enjoyed to develop the economy that is now providing so many benefits for South Koreans.’’
“I think there is a lack of understanding and a sense of historical amnesia,’’ Clinton told the hearing. She said both countries should seek to understand each other and recognize the importance of their alliance.
The problems between South Korea and the US are actually more complicated then the way she describes it but never the less she is correct about the “historical amnesia” in regards to the MacArthur controversy and other historical points of contention between the two countries.
General Bell as well has some interesting things to say:
Bell said his role as commander would be to ensure close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. so they are ready to respond to North Korean aggression. “The ROK-U.S. alliance must be `ready to fight tonight’ due to the proximity and lethality of the threat,’’ the four-star general said.
Bell also said he will seek to develop USFK’s operational flexibility so it can work under the U.S. Pacific Command in regional conflicts.
“U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region should be stationed to provide sufficient flexibility to deploy forces to meet global contingency requirements,’’ he said. “If confirmed, I will ensure that I fully understand the situation on the Korean Peninsula and of those regional actors so that I can provide my input.’’
So in other words the USFK is to become a regional contingency force instead of a force to assist in the defense of Korea. I willing to bet the ROK government is not going to react to enthusiasticly once they hear about that.
