[KS] Re: Still Invaded Economically and Culturally

[Onno Veer]

I acknowledge that in the world we live in today it is virtually impossible 
for any country to act completely independently. The smaller countries 
especially need to look very carefully at what the bigger states are doing. 
That Korea's direct neighbours are so  much larger and powerful doesn't make 
things easier. But increasing linkages over the world make geographical 
position less important. Globalisation and regionalisation give Korea, 
whether reunited or not, a bigger role in global politics. Korean companies 
have very extensive links throughout the world.
Korea is still the 11th (or 12th) economy in the world, a rather big shrimp 
to swallow, even for whales.



Dr John Caruso Jr. wrote:


>May I ask which Korea you classify as independent?  DL Kim Chong IL's trip
>to Beijing before the summit was not a sign of independence any more than
>Secretary Albright's post summit visit to Seoul or Friday's meeting with NK
>FM Paek Nam Sun.  It's very difficult for a shrimp to become independent
>with a whale, a shark, a bear and a US Red Lobster as your neighbors or
>friends.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Onno Veer" <osveer at hotmail.com>
>To: <korean-studies at mailbase.ac.uk>
>Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2000 7:47 PM
>Subject: Re: Still Invaded Economically and Culturally
>
>
> > I agree with Martin Hart-Landsberg,
> >
> > In fact I would even say that fact #2 seems more opinion than fact as
>well.
> > Wouldn't it be fair to say that the fact that korea is still independent
>is
> > partly because it has been left alone by its bigger neighbours, most of
>the
> > time. Why should that change now?
> > I feel none of Korea's big neighbours would risk trying to control the
> > peninsula. They all realise the other neighbours will be watching them
>very
> > carefully. Instead, Korea could be playing an important and independent
>role
> > in the area, as long as it can become fully independent from the US.
> >
> > Onno Veer
> > London
> >
> >
> >
> > Martin Hart-Landsberg wrote;
> >
> >
> > >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
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> > ________________________________________________________________________
> > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
> >
> >
>

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