Rep. Kurt Weldon (Rep., Pennsylvania) asked Laporte about public opinion surveys that revealed that most South Korean citizens consider the U.S. a bigger threat than North Korea. The general replied that there are many such surveys being conducted, but if you actually talk with Korean citizens, they firmly support the U.S.-Korea alliance.

He also said Koreans want U.S. troops to remain in Korea even after some form of reconciliation has been effected with the North. He said that young Koreans, who have not experienced the horrors of war and have grown up in a time of peace and prosperity, have a different point of view from older, conservative Koreans. This is not necessarily a bad thing, he said.

Rep. Ike Skelton (Dem., Missouri) cited public opinion polls that reveal that feelings of good will toward the U.S. have fallen from 53 percent in 2002 to 46 percent last year. About this, Laporte said Korean citizens treat American military personnel with dignity and respect, the alliance under the Combines Forces Command is rock-solid, and the relationship receives much support from Korean leaders.

Admiral Fargo said the presidential impeachment issue is not affecting the bilateral military relationship in any way and the Korean government is functioning properly.

Laporte said the constitutional process is proceeding peacefully despite the North Korean threat, civilian control of the military has been maintained and the military has responded well to the political situation. All of this, he said, speaks eloquently of the maturity of South Korea's political system. The general also said he met acting President Goh twice following the impeachment vote, and added that Goh is performing all presidential duties and doing a fine job.

Fargo said North Korea's enriched uranium and plutonium programs present not only the threat of a military collision, but also one in which nuclear weapons fall into the hands of terrorist organizations. This was the most worrying matter, he said.

The admiral said, however, that North Korea's military posture was being closely monitored, and he doesn't believe the current threat of war on the peninsula is greater than it was, say, two years ago.

In response to a question concerning plans to shrink the size of USFK, Laporte said decreases in manpower have not been discussed at all in bilateral talks on the alliance. The only discussions have taken place are those concerning the transfer of missions and roles and force structure reorganizations, he said.

(Joo Yong-jung, midway@chosun.com )