Comments on: USFK Commander Against Further Troops Cuts (Update: USFK Denies)

By: OneFreeKorea » 2008 » February » 07

OneFreeKorea » 2008 » February » 07 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:54:47 +0000

[...] I’m willing to assume a honest mistake by Hill on “high” versus “moderate” confidence inconsistency, but I’m less charitable with KBS, given that Korean journalism isn’t havingÂ a very goodÂ week.Â So who to believe here, KBS or the Washington Post? Â Hill never even mentions aluminum tubes in the transciptÂ or on theÂ video.Â It’s possible, of course, that he said it in response to a senator’s question after the video ends, but KBS’s report still mischaracterizes Hill on the greater issue of North Korea’s uranium program.Â Overall, I have to assess this one with low confidence.Â Which, if you have been following the whole Agreed Framework 2.0 act, is about all you should give Hill. [...]

By: GI Korea

GI Korea — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:47:35 +0000

If whoever becomes the president doesn’t vigorously push the ROK government to make the transformation happen than yes we are more likely to see Lee’s canal become a reality than we are to see the closing of Yongsan Garrison.

By: usinkorea

usinkorea — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:51:01 +0000

I can’t picture any of the runners for the White House doing anything with USFK. I don’t picture any of them putting another Rumsfeld in the top chair, and without that, I think Lee’s Blue House will be able to do pretty much as it pleases in regards to USFK and the ROK forces.

I foresee more movement on the canal project than USFK reformation.

(But I’m having a cynical day too….)

By: Troop Cuts in USFK to Continue at ROK Drop

Troop Cuts in USFK to Continue at ROK Drop — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:03:19 +0000

[...] You can read more over at One Free Korea. [...]

By: GI Korea

GI Korea — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:33:15 +0000

Shocking the Korean media misquoting people. Who would of thunk it? I would not be surprised at all if the misquote was intentionally done.

The only way I see USFK reducing any further than 25,000 is that the last remaining combat brigade in 2ID be redeployed. If that is done the number of US troops would go down to around the 20,000 range and leave only the Air Force, aviation assets, C2, and logistics people on the peninsula. If the ROK government doesn’t keep to the relocation timeline and tries to play the delay game which they are masters at, the Pentagon should seriously think about withdrawing that brigade.

The only way I see USFK being able to withdraw under 20,000 is if the ROK’s buy some of the capabilities we provide for them now. We all know the ROK’s are not eager to foot the full bill for their own defense so USFK will at least remain above 20,000 for some time I suspect.

By: usinkorea

usinkorea — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:02:36 +0000

Cutting down to 25,000 won’t mean much. I’m waiting to see what the next administration in the US does with the move of Yongsan and expansion of Pyongtaek and other items connected with the reformation of USFK. If the White House pushes for that, it will then be interesting to watch what the Blue House does, but I doubt we will see Washington push for the move, and without that, there is little chance it will go through —- and little chance we will see a big reduction in troop strength.