[ArGee]

So we're hell bent on war in East Asia and only Roh can stop us? I'll bet Saddam Hussein is glad to hear that he is no longer the target.

What DO they teach them in these schools?

Shalom.

[johniegrad]

Why in the world would South Korea want to consider rapproachment with the North? Outside of reducing their need for defense spending how could they possibly benefit form taking on all of the North's problems? And, who in their right mind believes the North would want the same?

[r9etb]

But it is foreign policy where Roh will make his mark. The new president is even more committed than the previous administration to a policy of engaging North Korea. He favors moving forward with North-South reconciliation even before the current nuclear crisis is resolved.

Neville Chamberlain was committed to a similar policy. Moo-hyun (what a name!) has forgotten, just as France and Germany have forgotten, that their present security is guaranteed by us.

North Korea, at least, understands this perfectly well -- which is why the present nuke controversy is between us and NK, and not NK and South Korea. Once NK can get us out of the picture, they know that the South can be picked off easily.

France and Germany have coasted on NATO alms for decades now, and they're in no position to give that up, even if they've forgotten the fact.

[KC_Conspirator]

What kind of paper is this? It sounds like South Korean leftist lies and propaganda, like from that "60 Minutes" piece from weeks ago?

[El Gato]

Axis of left wing idiots and fellow travelers is more like it. South Korea and the US have been good friends for decades. And still can be, other than the left wing element, which is also present in Japan and some other countries, such as Germany, Italy and most especially France. In Japan and Italy the left wingers aren't in control, in Germany and especially France they are. Why the good people in those countries chose now to elect the left wingers, who have been around for a long time, is probably more related to the world economy than anything directly to do with America, it's foreign policy or it's President.

[CobaltBlue]

>>The Status of Forces Agreement between the two countries (which establishes the conditions for US military presence in South Korea) is woefully lopsided when compared with similar US agreements with other countries such as Germany.<<

I wonder what this means?

Do they want more money?

[CobaltBlue]

OK, I did a little research. Appears that the entire nation is pissed off about the accident when two girls were killed by being crushed to death by a military vehicle. They want US troops to be subject to South Korean criminal prosecution.

Someone remind me what benefit we derive from being there?

[Jumper]

Mr. Roh doesn't want to reunite with the North? Strange from a South Korean, especially a politician.... When this news breaks on the Korean Populace, they will have his head. Especially since there are approximately 24-million North Koreans starving to death under stalanist rule.... An uncompasionate Leader, or a man of liberal upbringing who wants his own economic slice of the pie, rather than sacrific for the good of the entire population.

Koreans comprise, after China, India, Japan, and Russia, the 5th largest RACE population in the World.

[Johnny Gage]

Screw 'em.

I say pull everyone out of Korea, and see how long it takes before ol' Kim Jong Il owns the whole peninsula.

France, Germany and So. Korea can rot in H3LL !

[CFC__VRWC]

Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize is a tough act to follow.

Puh-leeeze. All Roh has to do is go out and buy his own.