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Subject: What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans.
ROK_Navy    12/28/2003 8:49:31 AM
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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tettet    RE:What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans.   1/2/2004 10:13:05 AM
That is an interesting post. Is there anything you hope that your country could achieve if s.korean combat troops are sent to Iraq? Like having bigger role in the world or spreading positive images of your nation? btw are you in the korean navy or marines?
 
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ROK_Navy    RE:What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans.   1/2/2004 9:45:57 PM
Decades ago, Korea sent troops to Vietnam when we were hungry and undeveloped country. Frankly speaking Korea had to send troops to defend ourselves. After Korean war US troop was stationed on Korea, but at that time US trying to send the troops to Vietnam - this may cause N.korea's 2nd invasion of the South. So we sent our troops to hold US force in Korea. In Vietnam we did a great job, so many US and other country's military men still remember ROK infantry and marine in Vietnam. And during Vietnam war US government gave orders for supplies to ROK - we can build up ecnomies much faster. Now ROK send troops to Iraq. It's very close situation to that of Vietnam. Kim in N.Korea drives very dangerous nuke game, and US/ROK/Japan must stop Kim. The strongest aliiance needed beteen countries ever to solve nuke matter. So ROK have to send troops - to make alliance stronger (to survive). Having bigger role in the world or spreading positive images of ROK is much less important. p.s. I'm not in the ROK navy or marines. I was in the Army, but I love navy...so...;-). Cause Korea is more likely island country than continent country in strategic view.
 
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tettet    RE:What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans.   1/3/2004 7:43:59 PM
I see. Sometime ago a guy named Question started a thread called "South Korea's military compared to North Korea" in the Armed Forces of the World section, I added some posts there myself, I think I did a fine job at of accurately comparing the two countries' military. I'm sure you can do better, I'm interested in knowing the korea's militaries since we don't have many information ourselves. If you have the time can you make a detail comparison of each other's military?
 
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ROK_Navy    RE:What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans.   1/3/2004 11:26:01 PM
These sites can show details better than me, so... 1.Click vol.102 and see no.8 East Asia and Australasia and you can find two Koreas in it. http://reo.nii.ac.jp/journal/HtmlIndicate/html/vol_issues/SUP0000003000/JOU0003000148/vol_issue_list.html If you have a problem to see PDF file, try following address to download Adobe Acrobat Reader http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html 2.Click both "Military Power"s to see details of equipments. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/korea-crisis.htm 3.You can find short descriptions of ROKA equipments. http://www.csun.edu/~btk29323/main.html
 
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cobaltblue    RE:What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans.   1/6/2004 2:15:25 AM
this is going to be a finely balanced act. for now, my four cents ... 1. ROK and the Middle East shared no animosity in the annals of history: do not start something perceived arrogant/hostile in the eyes of the Middle Easterners, including the Iraqis. 2. ROK and the US: the US is still the primary ally to ROK, and therefore cannot just dismiss US requests. on the other hand, it does not hurt to send a few thousand ROK troops to Iraq, in exchange to prevent US unilateralism against DPRK. 3. ROK should also consult w/ countries that have had long-standing UN-type missions like Canada and Australia, as well as send more survey teams to talk w/ Iraqis. plus, also take note of how the US troops have been scorned by the Iraqis. it does not hurt to do some homework. 4. once ROK combat troops are in Iraq, they ought to realize right away that their primary goal is to establish a working relations w/ the Iraqis. they should always keep an eye on how the Americans clumsily deal w/ Iraqis and end up getting mislead, shot or killed. to put it simply, ROK troops must present themselves to the Iraqis as ROK troops, not as US subsidiaries.
 
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ROK_Navy    RE:What’s the meaning of ROK troops in Iraq for Koreans. - cobaltblue   1/6/2004 4:07:51 AM
Good point,cobaltblue. My reply lays under "=>". <1. ROK and the Middle East shared no animosity in the annals of history: do not start something perceived arrogant/hostile in the eyes of the Middle Easterners, including the Iraqis.> => Basically ROK troops in Iraq are peace-keeping force. We will act with a caution about Iraqi cultures and try to help Iraqui to reconstruct their country. If they don't drive a bomb-truck into a ROK troop's base, we will not fire any bullet. 2. ROK and the US: the US is still the primary ally to ROK, and therefore cannot just dismiss US requests. on the other hand, it does not hurt to send a few thousand ROK troops to Iraq, in exchange to prevent US unilateralism against DPRK. => Maybe you are. Many Koreans don't want US puts NK too strong pressure that can explode NK. But when NK really try to explode itself, we have to fight to reduce massacre of Crazy Kim. 3. ROK should also consult w/ countries that have had long-standing UN-type missions like Canada and Australia, as well as send more survey teams to talk w/ Iraqis. plus, also take note of how the US troops have been scorned by the Iraqis. it does not hurt to do some homework. => As you said. And we already sent our peace-keeping troops to many hot spot - like East Timor, Somalia, Afghanistan, etc. (I mean we have experience) 4. once ROK combat troops are in Iraq, they ought to realize right away that their primary goal is to establish a working relations w/ the Iraqis. they should always keep an eye on how the Americans clumsily deal w/ Iraqis and end up getting mislead, shot or killed. to put it simply, ROK troops must present themselves to the Iraqis as ROK troops, not as US subsidiaries => Our troops was (and will be) sent to defence ourselves (US alliance & NK nuke crisis) and TO HELP IRAQ. We Koreans know the sorrow of small, poor country. We are really willing to help Iraqui to rebuild Iraq as a peaceful, prosperous country with freedom. They can do it.
 
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cobaltblue    RE: to ROK_Navy   1/7/2004 1:48:26 AM
>>>Many Koreans don't want US puts NK too strong pressure that can explode NK. But when NK really try to explode itself, we have to fight to reduce massacre of Crazy Kim. first of all, what happens between Kim Jong-Il and North Korean populace is strictly the domestic problem of DPRK. the underlying problem is that neither Koreas have officially accepted the partition of the Korean peninsula into two separate states. stopping Kim Jong-Il from massacre??? but ROK does not govern DPRK!!! >>>to defence ourselves (US alliance & NK nuke crisis) and TO HELP IRAQ. We Koreans know the sorrow of small, poor country. We are really willing to help Iraqui to rebuild Iraq as a peaceful, prosperous country with freedom. They can do it. the Koreans know the sorrows of the small, poor country??? i do not buy this. ROK has been treating migrant workers (from poorer states like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Mongolia, etc.) like s (should be familiar to you if you have been watching ROK TV programs like 'PD Su-Chôp', 'Gû-Gô-Shi-Al-Go-Ship-Da', etc.)
 
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evlstu    RE: to ROK_Navy   1/7/2004 2:34:08 AM
Saying that the way the DPRK treats its people is a domestic issue is like sqying that relationship btw hitler and German jews was a domestic issue. There comes apoint at which the way a government treats its peopl is no longer a domestic issue.
 
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cobaltblue    RE: to evlstu   1/7/2004 2:57:18 AM
>>>Saying that the way the DPRK treats its people is a domestic issue is like sqying that relationship btw hitler and German jews was a domestic issue. There comes apoint at which the way a government treats its peopl is no longer a domestic issue do not waste your time w/ apparently humanitarian bullsh*tting. the US, nor anyone else against Hitler did not do a f*ck when Hitler started treating the European Jews like a collection of cesspool. did we give a f*ck when scores of innocents were slaughtered in Indonesia, El Salvador, Guatamala, Honduras, etc.??? honestly, what and how much bloody crap does it take before some of us start giving a f*ck about slaughtered lives???
 
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ROK_Navy    RE: to ROK_Navy   1/7/2004 5:07:57 AM
Korea was divided into two not because of our will but because of other's. When US signed truce we still want to fight until unification. Our constitutiuon define our land "Korean peninsula and its islands" and our people icluding north people. This is domestic problem of KOREA and humanity. What's the problem when we must stop Kim? And as you said, some Koreans have problem with the foreign workers. I know it's shameful. But that's not all, many other Koreans help them and they try to alarm other Koreans. As long time Korean people have been nearly homogeneous, this why we are not good at living with other people. We are studying it now. And as a small explanation, it's not only Korean matter. Nearly all country have a problem between majority and minority. The point is that "Is there an effort to fix it?" - I think. Do you know how Korean people worked in the foreign country in 70'S or 80's? We had a same memory of sadness. That's why Koreans can help Iraqui from the heart.
 
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