I knew it was time to leave a few years ago when SK took bids on a fighter jet replacement FROM FRANCE.
From a strategic point of view we can’t and won’t. Part of our being in Korea is to reassure the Japanese we will partner with them if NK does anything stupid.
To the SK President’s discredit, he is simply taking advantage of the situation to show he can tweek the giant’s nose. Or, it may be that there really was something being lost in the translation.
As to the SK hostage situation: Not too long after the SK hostages were released the hostage takers were killed or captured. I see nothing wrong in promising what ever it takes to effect the release of hostages. Extorted agreements are never binding. Frankly, I think the present US non-negotiation policy is ridiculous. Negotiate whatever it takes to get the hostages home. After they are safe, find and kill the hostage takers—right after the extorted agreements are reputiated. Of course, the hostage takers could retain some of the hostages as insurance that their demands are met. This is the point at which the non-negotiation policy would kick in. That is the only way to discourage hostage taking in the first place. Where am I wrong here?