Article

2003-05-15 Korea

David Frum - The Boom is Lowered on South Koreaâs Roh

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Posted by Anonymous 2003-05-15 08:31 am|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Amen and about time that we ran amuck. Sounds like we have our own army-based policy and it doesn't forsee being abused by SKorean demonstrators while we put our lives on the line to protect them

Posted by Frank G 2003-05-15 08:54:38|| 2003-05-15 08:54:38|| Front Page Top

#2 I checked a map of Korea. The Han river runs south Seoul. If the troups are stationed north of the Han river they will still be fairly close to the border with NKOR.

Posted by Canaveral Dan 2003-05-15 09:24:38|| 2003-05-15 09:24:38|| Front Page Top

#3 Dan, I think the point here was that the troops north of the Han River would be moved, not that the troops would be moved north of the Han River.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-05-15 09:41:56|| 2003-05-15 09:41:56|| Front Page Top

#4 Is the 2nd Infantry mechanized now? For a long while they were straight leg infantry.

Posted by Shipman 2003-05-15 11:34:00|| 2003-05-15 11:34:00|| Front Page Top

#5 Point 1: The Han flows right through the middle of Seoul - dissects the city in two. Looks cool at night, too.
Point 2: It would seem that the parts of the joint statement concerning the 2ID are being taken over here as meaning, "They aren't being moved anytime soon." "Taking careful account of the political, economic and security situation on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia" means Seoul is going to stall that move for as long as possible. Watch for "citizens groups" to start protesting at planned redeployment spots south of Seoul (e.g. Pyongtaek/Osan, Waegwan). Previous plans to consolidate bases have been held up because of similar shinanigans; a couple of days ago, 10 protestors broke into Uijeongbu City Hall demanding that the mayor hold a referendum on land transfers to the USFK (something he promised to do during his election campaign last year). I'll be shocked (shocked, I tell ye!) if the 2ID goes anywhere soon. I hope to hell I'm wrong, though.

BTW, I've posted the Korean media response to the communique at my blog and at Command Post, just in case anyone cares.

Posted by The Marmot 2003-05-15 12:31:47|| [marmotshole.blogspot.com] 2003-05-15 12:31:47|| Front Page Top

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