Roh: ROK Ready for Wartime Control ‘Now’
by Richardson ~ August 9th, 2006. Filed under: Diplomacy, U.S.-Korea Relations.From the Chosun Ilbo:
President Roh Moo-hyun on Wednesday said Korea is capable of exercising sole wartime operational control of its troops “even if we get it back now.” In an interview with the Yonhap news agency, the president said, “The South Korean military’s capability is sufficient and it can get U.S. military support.” (emphasis added)
This despite the frank opinion of 13 former ROK Defense Ministers, constituting 40 years of experience, who unanimously called for the Roh administration to reconsider its proposal to take over wartime command of military forces on the peninsula. They concluded that in the event of a war, “[South] Korea does not have the military intelligence power to exercise operational control on its own and needs U.S. support.”
Roh has earned his place in history.
August 9th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
If you say so, General Roh.
I also found this statement to be both factually false and a logical eye-roller:
In point of fact, plenty of nations — like most of the NATO nations — have ceded a comparable degree of control of their own forces in wartime, to say nothing of Iraq, Afghanistan, or most of Russia\’s protectorates in Central Asia and Belarus.
But of course, what really distinguishes South Korea from all of those other nations is that it\’s the world\’s wealthiest military welfare queen. This is why Roh is right in his ultimate conclusion that Korea\’s dependence (at least as a matter of degree) is both unnatural and unhealthy. Unfortunately, Roh lacks the competence to identify Korea\’s interests and pursue them skillfully in a region where his nation is at the mercy of all of its neighbors. Under those circumstances, Korea will need an alliance with at least one major power.
You can\’t save people from themselves. Korea will decide in 2007 whether it wants to keep the alliance. Roh\’s stupidity should not be viewed as a reason to abandon Korea. It should be viewed as license to reshape the USFK to fit U.S. interests. A restructuring of USFK without as many American hostages on Korean soil strengthens, not weakens, the power of the U.S. deterrent. It also increases our influence over South Korea. Roh\’s statements are a green light that will greatly expand our negotiating leverage.
August 9th, 2006 at 7:55 pm
I don’t think I’ve seen such naivety since oh…. the Philippines kicked the US out. China was thrilled with that, I think the Filipino’s less so now as China struts around the Sprately Islands.
There is a virus running around the world that causes delusions in leaders. Roh is a victim. Saddam was another. The Iran Prez too. These guys just can’t do the corellation of forces equation. They think they have more power, influence and muscle than they do. Since there are stories that the US is pushing Roh to breakup the CFC in 2009, perhaps the US will listen to Roh, take him up on his assertions and advance that date to 2007?
August 9th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
And people complain that W is out of touch with reality…
In all seriousness, what are the odds of a military coup before Roh’s term is up?
August 9th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
I’m increasingly fearful of a coup. No matter what you think of Roh, it would be an unmitigated disaster for the democratization of both Koreas.
The USG should find some appropriate way to send a strong message discouraging a coup, if for no other reason than to underline Roh’s ineptness and unpopularity.
August 9th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
I think it would be good on several levels for the U.S. to express concern about such publicly. There would be some righteous indignation/backlash, and then there would be some deeper thought on the issue, and perhaps some attitude adjustment.
August 9th, 2006 at 10:29 pm
What is the corruption like in ROK within the military? As bad as in China? If they are a honest bunch without large offshore bank accounts, they just might consider a coup. If they are dirty, with money that can be sourced as wily Marcos’ was, then they probably won’t.
If there were a coup, don’t you think Congress would most likely stop writing USFK cheques?