Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DaffyD73]

So the USA has a military presence here which has carried over since the UN forces came in back in the 50's to protect from the communist north. I understand that one could say that the war is not finished as it is just a cease fire, but given the negative feelings towards Americans by Koreans, being brought to a head by the Mad cow thing. why does the USA just say f it, you complain and complain we'll just leave see you later.

The USa has a military presence in Japan and also other areas of the Pacific why the need to stay somewhere where your not welcomed with open arms, and appreciated. the saying "One does not know what one has till it is lost".
I do not say this as a reaction to the mad cow thingy - this is a democracy and the people have a right to express thier opinions whether you think them right or wrong is your opinion ( and since we are in another country - it's not our right to force our opinion on them, the opposite is also true). But korea needs a kick up the backside as a misbehaving child would who starts to take for granted what is provided for it and still asks for more.

Your thoughts?

[CentralCali]

Last I heard, the rioters are not a majority of the Korean populace.

[cazzy3]

having your military positioned all around the world is as good as it gets in terms of intelligence, strategic positioning, and simple intimidation. why do you think the US has bases in turkey, kuwait, germany, etc. now they want to have one in iraq.

old saying...keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

us will never leave korea, unless they have to. it's too close to russia, n. korea and china.

[DaffyD73]

Yes OK the old saying is a reason, but when you consider the warfare of today and the style of sending in the planes first etc... and the lessor need for Ground forces until the initial cleanup stage - the closeness factor is moot.

[poet13]

The presence of the US in Korea provides a great deal of stability in the region. There are few, and I mean those who actually know about this stuff, who doubt that North Koreas attitude toward respecting the demarcation line with South Korea would be much more aggressive. As it is, North Korea has snatched people from South Korea, attacked patrol boats, every so often abruptly moves tens of thousands of soldiers and armor to within striking distsance of the border, fires missiles over sovereign territory, pops nukes, digs tunnels...and this stuff is in not that long ago....ok, the tunnels were a while back.

The US is here at the invitation of the South Korean government. Regardless of democracy, sometimes the government with all it's fancy pants studies, and expensive analysts, just has to make decisions for the people.

This is not Canada, and a referendum is not always necessary.

[cazzy3]

proximity is very important even in today's warfare...just ask israel!! most long range missiles can be intercepted and/or detected but if you are in close range you can launch an multitude of short/mid range missiles from subs w/o having to jeapordize any aircraft.

i agree that it's not as important in the past in terms of logistical advantages, but just knowing the US is there may help prevent any incidents.

it's sort of the reason why US subs are poking their heads up in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Syria, etc. they want people to know they are there.

[pkang0202]

The US pulling out of Korea would be a huge sign of weakness. It sends a message around the world, that if you pressure enough, the US will just pack up and leave.

It would allow China to be more aggressive in *beep* handling of Taiwan. NK would get more aggressive with their own nuclear strategy. It'll send message all across the Middle East that the US can easily be presuaded to get the f out.

Also, the US has keeping its end of the bargain of protecting South Korea against aggressors. Pulling out would be abandoning an ally. That would shake the confidence of many many countries that are counting on the US to be there when shit hits the fan (all NATO countries, Japan, Israel...).

[TheUrbanMyth]

Not only that, but it would also encourage Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to seriously consider going nuclear. After all if you are doubting your ally's willingness to protect you, you will seek for alternative means of protection. This would increase proliferation and likely lead to a new arms race. This in turn would get Russia upset and one by one the other big powers would get dragged in.

Much better to keep the status quo...better the devil you know then the devil you don't.

[caniff]

[endo]

[ytuque]

If the US pulled out of Korea, the North Koreans could take over without much of a fight. The stock market of every industrialized country would crash. There is a lot at risk.

[Adventurer]

[ajgeddes]

[Ya-ta Boy]

A lot of the reason the US stays is simply inertia.

Anyway, the real question is why does the Korean government ask us to stay? Even during the 10 years of the not-so-friendly party in power, we were not asked to leave. The answer: It serves S. Korea's national interests to keep the troops here.

[Lekker]