Korea Scales Down Defense Ambitions

Chosunilbo ^ | 05/02/2011 | Staff

[Rabin]

Instead, the ministry aims to focus on the defense against North Korea, both in terms of the North’s so-called asymmetrical advantage in local provocations and full-scale warfare.

This will likely scrap or delay initiatives to boost military capability against threats from neighboring powers and for futuristic high-tech warfare. They include building additional large warships and purchasing aerial refueling aircraft.

[Rabin]

After North Korea's attacks on the Navy corvette Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island last year, critics said the grander ambitions are futile given that South Korea seems powerless to deal even with small-scale attacks from the North.

R thanks freep "Forgotten Amendments" value logic input.

Rab is thinking of late that our Korean friends need to holster their own pistol. The "trip wire" concept worked when our friends were in desperate need; our contingent now robs their conservatives of a reason to build their strategic defenses.

Korea is now Proud, on its feet. Bring the American forces home.

[gleeaikin]

It is definitely time for us to reduce our forces in Korea, Germany, etc. Korea and Europe can pay for their own military so we do not have to reduce our senior/retirement benefits which are already less than those in the major European countries. We have subsidized their military needs long enough. It is time to take care of our own needs.