Seoul in uproar over U.S. request for troops to Iraq

World Tribune ^ | 9-17-03

[Renfield]

SEOUL, South Korea — Washington's request that South Korea dispatch thousands of infantry troops to Iraq has sparked a new round of anti-American protests in Seoul.

The controversy erupted after Seoul officials acknowledged that the United States has requested the deployment of a "light infantry division" consisting of between 2,000 and 10,000 combat soldiers to Iraq.

Hundreds of anti-U.S. activists staged a rally in central Seoul Tuesday to oppose any further role for South Korean troops in Iraq. In May, South Korea dispatched about 675 army engineers and medics to assist the U.S.-led rehabilitation of post-war Iraq.

Sending troops to Iraq is a very politically charged issue here as many have criticized the United States for starting the Iraqi war without U.N. authorization. The South Korean government plans to convene a National Security Council meeting of senior ministers on Thursday to discuss the U.S. request.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed local news reports cited a U.S. warning that it would pull thousands of American troops out of South Korea to send them to Iraq if Seoul refuses its request.

Local newspapers, including Donga-Ilbo, reported that the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division would leave South Korea to reposition in Iraq if Seoul rejects Washington's request to dispatch combat troops to assist the U.S.-led peace-keeping efforts in the post-war Middle East.

South Korea's defense chief denied the reports, but they fueled security jitters as the redeployment of the U.S. front-line troops would weaken its deterrence capabilities against communist North Korea.

About 15,000 troops of the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division are scattered among dozens of camps and bases near the heavily-armed inter-Korean border, serving as a "tripwire" that could automatically lead to Washington's involvement in the event of an invasion by North Korea.

"The press reports on the U.S. troops withdrawal are groundless," Defense Minister Defense Minister Cho Young-kil told journalists.

"I see no possibility of such a U.S. troop relocation plan," a senior foreign ministry official said. "The U.S. troops has stationed here under a mutual defense pact. The 2nd Infantry Division has never relocated for the past five decades," he said.

The United States maintains some 37,000 troops in South Korea to deter attacks from North Korea under a bilateral defense treaty signed after the 1950-53 Korean War. The North says the troops are a "source of another war on the peninsula and obstacle to the Korean unification."

[Bobibutu]

"Hundreds of anti-U.S. activists staged a rally in central Seoul Tuesday to oppose any further role for South Korean troops in Iraq."

When I went to VN in the 60's I had to stop off in Tokyo for a few days. Sheraton or Hilton hotel - I forget but up on the 12th or so floor i was introduced to a "street" demo by the locals so far below.

When we protest it seems to be somewhat disorganised - when the orientals protest it is coreagraphed to the milisecond - a few people doing every movement and sound to perfection can be exlirating in a cultural performance but when done in a radical protest - well - I changed my pants.

Now I know - individually they are pussycats ... collectivally on observation - gives one pause. (shock 'n awe)

BTW - in Soeul a few years later a young honey and her girlfriend in a demo - after it broke up - followed me and my buddy for blocks trying to get us to buy them drinks and all the rest - no hard feelings. She shined my shoes and pressed my pants in the morning before I woke up.

No charge - Go figure.

[Bobibutu]

"The "Irish of the Orient," I believe was his description. "

You got that right ...

And the expat Chinese are the "Jews" of the Orient ..

Hard working - controling factor of most villages thru Indonesia.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

That's VERY small for a country of 48 million people.

Why does a technically advanced country of 48 million need a single American soldier to protect it from a backwards hungry country of 22 million?

Let's get our 67,000 either to Iraq or stationed on our own southern borders!!!

[BenLurkin]

This is the same pro-Kim Fifth Column that always finds something to riot about.

[Pubbie]

"Why does a technically advanced country of 48 million need a single American soldier to protect it from a backwards hungry country of 22 million?"

Because the North Koreans could cause major damage to South Korea with their powerful artillery.

If they attack SoKor then the whole economies of China and Japan could tank and cause a world wide reccesion.

"Let's get our 67,000 either to Iraq or stationed on our own southern borders!!!"

I've read that Rumsfeld wants to cut back on our Korea deployments (If) the North Korea crisis is settled diplomatically.

I'm more keen to get our troops out of the Balkans where there is NO US national interest whatsoever.

[Bobibutu]

"controling factor of most villages thru Indonesia. "

Economic factor - the Imman was the behavior factor.

[CaptIsaacDavis]

"True Allies"? You have to be kidding. What kind of ally are WE to be asking Seoul to send forces to Iraq when the entire peninsula is on the verge of WAR! The White House is out to lunch on Asia, and doing the bidding of the Middle Eastern faction in the DoD. Fact: Korea is the only country among Syria, Iran, former Iraq, that is within weeks of testing a nuclear bomb. China has put forces on its border with Korea -- up to 150K, wargamed out an intervention (2/02) to defend the North in the event of a U.S. attack, while Russia has recently run a test of its nuclear civil defense capabilities in Siberia, and we have exercises going on right now targeting the North, while the talks have COLLAPSED (and the WH is trying to cover it up) -- as revealed by Russian reports that the North told the Russians that they have effectively walked out by saying they have no choice but to advance their nuclear program, and on and on. Korea is on edge. Japan is on edge. China is on edge, and preparing for the worst. Russia is on edge.

We are on the brink of a catastrophe in Asia (don't listen to me, several top defense analysts have made the same warning in print in recent weeks), and the White House is worried about Syria and Iran right now?

This Administration has LOST ITS NERVE!!!!

[Bobibutu]

"If they attack SoKor then the whole economies of China and Japan could tank and cause a world wide reccesion."

Exactically! This is the core of the problem - NK collapses - now what do you do/how do you feed the people? And keep stability?

[Pubbie]

I'm saying A War on the Korean Peninsula would destroy much of South Korea and that will cause economic problems all over North East Asia.

The Refugee problem wouldn't cause as much damage as the actual war.

[TADSLOS]

It's past time to pull the plug on these ungrateful bastards and let the unification begin. The old guard in power who appreciated our presence have long since disappeared. All of these "enlightened" South Koreans who want us out anyway should get their wish. Let 'em get a harsh dose of North Korean hospitality.

[91B]

The ROK soldiers who are in Iraq are mostly at Talil Air Base (LSA Anaconda) Just outside An Nasiriyah. I was there for seven weeks from June til August and saw them every day out working. They have set up a small hospital to provide health care for the locals and the engineers are improving the air base and neighboring Camp Cedar II. From what I could see they are doing a good job-although the hajis in the area are mostly friendly so there is little danger.

I can see how they would be reluctant to send any more troops with their principal ally (us) overextended and a real threat not 40 miles from their capital.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Because the North Koreans could cause major damage to South Korea with their powerful artillery.

Any NK artillery barrage would last about 90 minutes.
Less if there is a strong south wind a blowin.

Carpet cluster bombs and a few nukes stops the peashooters!!

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

And I've heard reports of Chinese troop build-up along the border with North Korea.

Without South Korea, Japan and America as trading(dumping grounds) partners, China would collapse in a heartbeat.

China has been warned to take care of the problem soon!
Just watch.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

How typical. We are there helping to protect their asses, and they protest when we ask them to return the favor? Why are we there in the first place?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Is the Yellow Shar-Pei in Korea very similar to Black Angus here?

[Batrachian]

"Is the Yellow Shar-Pei in Korea very similar to Black Angus here?"

I don't know all that much about Korean culture, except that the whores where cheapest just before payday. As for the Shar-Pei's, I think they're more like "the other white meat" over there.

[Pubbie]

We can't destroy those artillery positions unless we have a strong military force in Korea.

That's why we have to stay.

[Pubbie]

"And I've heard reports of Chinese troop build-up along the border with North Korea."

The Chinese have put (According to Hong Kong Newspapers) 150,000 troops on China/Korean border.

They say this is just to prevent illegal immigration into Manchuria.

The troops on their border (Apparently) have no heavy weapons, but if they DO start putting heavy mechanized forces on the border then that would signal they are going to attack North Korea. (However there is no sign they are going to that - yet).

[Pubbie]

Neat story.

[ChadGore]

We've spilled blood for *their* country, no ?