Gov't Strongly Protests 8th U.S. Army Commander's Statements 8th U.S. Army Commander Hints at USFK Reductions, But Expanded Alliance Role Negotations for USFK Reductions to Begin Next Month

Until its unification, West Germany completely took advantage of its relationship with the United States. When all the other European countries feared for the unification of Germany, West Germany revived its economy and built international confidence with the help of the United States. Thus, Germany’s action taken during the Iraqi War, as it was seen, seemed like total betrayal against the United States, many people said. Germany had taken advantage of the United States and it was serious enough to make people believe West Germany had betrayed its alliance. How about us? There are many things to be done before making unification happen in Korea. We must bring up the level of our economy up to a certain level and build international trust by maintaining peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. Korea must induce North Korea to strengthen its economy and to take active part in international affairs as a member. There are billions of reasons as to why Korea must hold on to the United States and make the most out of its alliance because the United States is the one and only superpower in the world with peace and security.

On the contrary, Korea is far from taking advantage of its alliance with the United States. Instead, it is heading along the path of ostracism. Specific issues like whether or not U.S. troops in Korea would be temporarily transferred or totally evacuated from the nation is not the problem here. The serious problem lies in the atmosphere within the Korean government. It seems like the government earnestly wanted U.S. troops to withdraw from Korea. It was just that Korea had no courage to make such a request. The ruling party did not say a word about the temporary transfer of 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade even after it was confirmed. After 36 hours, all they said was “there is no security vacuum,” as if the party had welcomed the transfer plan. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been consistently silent. Diplomats said they had no intention of getting involved in the situation unless it is to convey messages. Not long ago, the ministry got hit by the “North American Bureau incident.” The ministry said that it clearly understands how the higher office looks into this matter: “If the United States insists on withdrawing its troops, why take pains to hold them back?”

The Ministry of Defense has said no word about it either. At first they said, “Ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Later, they said, “We didn’t know,” “There was nothing we could do,” and finally, “National security is safe.” To this, a reserve general said, “I guess the higher the military rank, the more they turn cowardly.”

This is not all. Government and military officials claiming the importance of maintaining a strong alliance with the United States are being pushed aside one after another. Moreover, people supporting the United States are severely criticized on the Internet. In Korea, making reference to anti-American sentiment and to Korea-US alliance would immediately lead to that person being given a sarcastic nickname like “U.S. spokesperson.”

With this, a new Acheson Line from 55 year ago is drawn again over the Northeast Asia. However, the question is: why and for what do we have to put the Korea-US alliance upon the chopping board? President Roh Moo-hyun presented to us a new concept of a “cooperative autonomous defense system.” Could we actually handle the financial burden that arises from filling in the security vacuum? Words do not provide Korea with “self-dependent military power.” Numbers and budgets needed must be made known to the Korean citizens. No one in our government, however, is presenting such details. Government say “cooperation” in building Korea’s autonomous defense system, but this is nothing more than a mere conception of “mine is mine and yours is mine.”

What I fear most is the invisible hand. Money does not listen to the words of politics. The U.S. government may say “cooperation,” but money won’t listen. Does the Korean government not know that money is a global product supported by highly advanced technology in which billions of dollars are transacted in a second? If they know this, does the government have the confidence and plan to manage the amount needed? No one living in Korea would believe that Korea is capable.

What makes the government and the administration party act the way they do now, telling the United States “If you're going to leave, then leave?” To say this again, if we Koreans could live on our own without the help from an arrogant, powerful nation, I wouldn't refuse. I just wish our government knew where it is leading us and for what.