[KS] Re: Still Invaded Economically and Culturally

Dr. John Caruso Jr. carusoj at earthlink.net
Thu Jul 27 20:35:20 EDT 2000


Good points!

Yes, the US dominates South Korean and ROC politics more than Japan, China,
or Russia.

The US has military strength in certain categories - not on the ground as
was noted in Serbia.

The US overtly influenced South Korean politics while the Japanese, who
delight in dealing with dictators as much as we do, did everything possible
covertly to keep the two Koreas at odds, Kim Tae Chung in jail, ROK generals
in power, Yakusa smuggling in Pusan, and the Chaebol technologically weak.

A geographic fact still places the US mainland thousands of miles away and
the US was not described as a "neutral party".

It was recently reported that Dear Leader Kim Chong IL asked President Kim
Tae Chung to relay a message to President Clinton - "please keep US forces
in Korea." If this is true, it appears both Koreas desire US troops to
remain until the situation stabilizes.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Hart-Landsberg" <marty at lclark.edu>
To: <korean-studies at mailbase.ac.uk>
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2000 7:08 PM
Subject: Re: Still Invaded Economically and Culturally


> Facts #3 and #4 (see below) seem more opinion than fact.  The U.S.
> dominates the region's politics more than Japan, China, or Russia.  It is
> the strongest military power and has had the most direct influence over
> past South Korean political developments.  It is far from some distant,
> neutral party.  Therefore, it is not an obvious fact to me that a unified
> Korea would want to maintain any close formal alliance with the U.S. (as
> opposed to peaceful relations) much less encourage or desire a continuing
> U.S. military presence.
>
>
> Marty Hart-Landsberg
>
>
> On Thu, 27 Jul 2000, Dr. John Caruso Jr. wrote:
>
> > A FEW FACTS & ONE OPINION
> >
> > There are some facts about Korea that won't go away.
> >
> > Fact #1.  Korea, even reunited, is smaller and weaker than any of its
three
> > neighbors.
> >
> > Fact #2.  It is likely one of its three neighbors will attempt to
control
> > Korea, via alliance or threat, rather than the three agreeing to leave
it
> > alone.
> >
> > Fact #3.  Given Facts #1 and #2, it is likely that a unified Korea would
> > seek to maintain an alliance with the United States, a distant world
power
> > but favorite destination of Korean immigrants.  The alliance gives Korea
> > some freedom of action, and prevents control by any of its three
neighbors.
> >
> > Fact #4.  Because of Fact #3, it is likely there will be some type of
> > continuous U. S. military presence in Korea - air, ground, naval,
> > anti-missile systems, surveillance, etc.
> >
> > Fact #5.  Because of Fact #4, there will be tension between local
civilians,
> > students, the police, and U. S. military personnel.
> >
> > Opinion #1  Because these facts leave little room for chitchat, a few
> > members will continue to whine about eating dogs and hiss about drinking
cat
> > juice.
> >
> > John
> >
> >
>
>



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