Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Meegook]

American troops stationed here in Korea has always been something I've wondered about.

Does Korea pay the US for protecting them? How much?

How much does the US spend here to protect Korea?

Any ideas or know where to find out? Does Korea print this info in English?

[seoulsucker]

You're joking, right?

[FlagWaver]

Die yankee dog.

[Harpeau]

The American Military is here in Korea to help keep Japan stabilized so they will not go nuclear.

[Meegook]

[Dev]

North Korea has a military made up of 1,000,000 men in uniform. The people there are very hungry and South Korea looks like a big steak in their eyes. Get the picture?

[flotsam]

[freethought]

I'll contribute what I know, rather than putting up dumb non-posts.

The Korean gov and the american gov have an agreement for the stationing of American troops. I'm at work now and don't have time, to look everything up, but I think you can likely find all that you're looking for online or on wikipedia.

That said, The agreement was reached at the end of the Korean War with the establishment of the ceasefire. From what I remember reading it was hardly a solid or firm agreement, but rather one of those agreements that often result from war. It grew into something more substantial, obviously.

As to why they are still here, the US has identified Norht Korea as a threat, and that may explain why they are still here. Other factors A)it is a standing commitment to protect Korea, B) closing military bases, especially major ones, is not easy to do politically in the US. There are others, but those are two big ones in my mind.

As for the Korean rationale for keeping them here, or letting them stay. Well, North Korea is likely reason enough, but beyond that there is millions if not a few billion dollars injected into the South Korean economy every year by the American forces presense. On top of that you have a country that has stood by Korea, been a major, if not THE major source of their development and to give them the boot would be awfully harsh.

Gotta go, but hope that helps.

[JeJuJitsu]

Also, South Korea only pays for 39% of the total cost of the American troops to be here.

[riley]

considering the tastelessness of the avatar, I have to wonder if the OP is actually an American. Showing the World Trade Center? C'mon, definitely a troll.

[Meegook]

Thanks freethought.

What concerns me is what Constutional authority does the US Miliary have to establish a presence in Korea? Just because N. Korea might attack? Or Koreans are afraid of the Japanese? Is that reason enough?

Also, if the US taxpayer is funding this operation to the tune of at least 60% as mentioned, and we don't know the total amount as of yet, for what now? 55 years? How do they feel about this subsidy to Korea?

Do the US farmers who can't export into Korea aware of that their taxfunds from their hard earn money is going to Korea to protect the Korean farmer? And yet the American farmer can't find a market for his crops in Korea> What gives with this?

[Meegook]

[Troll_Bait]

[Meegook]

Seems like some here like to define things for others. If there is a fine line between Current Events and General Discusions, let me know what it is and I'll ask for the thread to be moved.

I'm just looking for some answers to some questions I've had for many years and some discussion from and with others who have lived here about this issue. Is this the place for that or not?

And I really don't apreciate the labels some of you are so quick to pin on people for what ever your reasons. It's fairly disheartening when , in a forum of teachers, to realize how low the civility and intellectual level is among so many in the learning profession today. I trust those who are not at this adolescent level will participate as much or more than those who can't rise above their nit picking and snide attacks to engage in a civil discussion.

[flint]