This post is for the reply of SGTObvious.
I want more people can read this, so started new thread.
What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans.
1. Iraq and N.Korea
As all we know, Iraq-Iran-N.Korea are enemies of US (known as Axis of evil). Saddam Hussein in Iraq was captured and will be punished. Next target? Maybe Kim Jung-il in N.Korea.
S.Koreans(ROK) are very nervous about this(Korean war II) as much as N.Korea’s NUKE. Our land is small and Seoul(capital city)is too close from N.Korean artillery. Second Korean war will destroy most valuable things we made after first war.
We cannot tolerate N.Korea’s DANGEROUS TOYS, but don’t want WAR ON KOREAN PENINSULA anymore. This is Korean dilemma.
2. Alliance between US and ROK
ROK is the most shining political landmark of US type democracy and capitalism. 50 years ago the world poorest country (and just after bloody destroying war) made itself one of the most prospering country in the world WITH THE HELP OF US (and us troops in Korea). Thank you very much.
Today, we Koreans still need strong alliance with US. N.Korea’s nuke and Red China’s expanding military and economy make we need reliable FRIENDS (US and maybe… Japan)
We want good friends, so we have to be a good friend. This is the most important reason why ROK send troops to Iraq.
Since 911, US have to fight against terrorist and terror-supporting countries, and US need assistance from allies in the political and military manners. ROK can be a one of the major allies (ROK, Japan, UK, Australia) of US in these matters.
ROK have good infantry troops both quality and quantity, and ROK soldiers are professionals in the service for public welfare (we have a culture that worth modesty and respect old people, and we did great job in East Timor, Somalia and Afghanistan…etc) These things makes ROK infantry valuable addition to US army both combat and reconstruction mission.
3. Space between ROK and US
Although both countries help each other and can share more valuable friendship, there are space between ROK and US.
ROK president Rho is a very limited right- minded person (very sad, but true). Many supporters of Rho are young people who think ROK is respectable country and sometimes US acts too arrogantly. They also think US warlike country. (Is there any WMD in Iraq?…etc) But they like American culture and American civilians. I think these are mostly anti-Bushism rather than anti-Americanism.
US requested 5000 combat troops, but… because of political compromise (pro and anti America minded people) Rho decided to send 3000 more troops (combat + construction) to 700 engineering and medical troops in Iraq.
I think Rho did half success. ROK and US are still leave alliance but… US REALLY thanks ROK’s help? I’m not sure. And many of young supporters of Roh is upset. (Older people think young generation should understand US role in East Asia and the world)
President Bush and his staff didn’t do well on US allies (including France, Germany) past years. US did things one-way style too often. So other countries think they are not respected from US. THIS IS A BIG MISTAKE! (Whether US really doesn’t respect her allies or not) They blamed US and US got angry (What the TONS OF BLOOD for the betrayer bas*ard!)
IMHO these frictions between US and allies are can be prevented with the little more modesty. US is the greatest country, so many others are jealous of US. Generally speaking Americans are not much interested in other countries because US is the world. Americans are self-confident and act that ways with no harm (they think). But sometimes other non-americans are get wounded by American’s no harm actions. (Just like men can harm women with a little caution – but men never intend to do!)
ROK’s young people should accept US role in the world. (There isn’t any assurance that other country can do better than US. Personally I think US did well as a superpower - more than grade B)
US people should know about other countries and respect them.(It’s for the others and more importantly for Americans!)
Koreans can do much better, but before that we (ROK&US) have to reduce space between countries. Koreans are warm and emotional people. If we Koreans THINK other people REALLY LOVE ours, we’re constantly trying to give them more than what we got.
After 911, US and ROK walk together although minor frictions mentioned above. I hope both countries understand each other deeper and wider from this joint military action between US and ROK troops in Iraq.
Happy New Year.
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