Just a different perspective here on North and South Korea based on the opinions of a few South Koreans.
Last month I was in Saigon on a business trip. Several people I ended up going to dinner with that night were South Korean Bankers (lots of investing going on in Saigon). I posed the question about removing our troops are keeping them in S/K.
The feelings are that most younger Koreans, 50’s and younger would like the US to leave. Older Koreans, who were around during the war, like the security. The government of S/K appreciates the aid the US sends them.
They informed me that S/K military is more than capable of defending themselves against N/K accept of course if they lob a couple of nuclear missiles into downtown Seoul. Makes sense, however, they added, the US would not be able to protect them from those same missiles.
Apparently the US is sitting on some prime real estate in downtown Seoul. We have agreed or already in the process of building a new base outside of Seoul so developers can utilize the prime property. Should cost a pretty penny to build a new base.
Also the developers and government are looking at the prospect of developing in the DMZ, once it is dismantled.
Who knows, in the next 5-10 years, we may be asked to leave South Korea for good as new thinking comes in to the government and the economic value and partnership out weighs the federal aid we provide them.
The wall came down in Berlin, maybe the same happens with Korea.
One can only hope. I’m honestly less concerned about S. Korea than I am Europe. They’re big boys and girls, they don’t need a 100 billion dollars in defense aid only to turn around and snub us whenever it’s convenient.
I realize we have some great and firm allies on the continent(at least on the island near the continent), but our relationship will only be better once they are required to adopt a responsible form of government, which will never happen so long as we foot the bill.
The wall came down in Berlin, maybe the same happens with Korea.
I think it's inevitable but then I have a hopeless confidence in the human spirit's will to be free.
I appreciate the strength of the S. Korean military. However, Kim has an amazing amount of first strike destruction aimed at Seoul. I believe the U.S. soldiers there have prevented him from firing them. Even if the South eventually won; the carnage would be inconceivable.
So, I disagree with the younger Koreans. Really appreciate your experience there...