http://gretawire.blogs.foxnews.com/why-wont-south-korea-back-us-100-we-dont-need-95-we-need-100/

Why won't South Korea back us 100% ? We don't need 95%, we need 100%

Let's face it - sanctions do NOT  work and will not work if there is a leak or hole in them.  So it is perplexing that a country - South Korea - that we have been protecting with American lives for 60 years is playing us over Iran.  Why? money over principle and long term safety to this planet.

Here is the story:  We have asked South Korea to join us in imposing sanctions on Iran.  This is for us, for them and for the world.

Until Wednesday, South Korea has dragged its feet in response to our request (what's with that? you would think they would jump in and help at once since we just helped them with North Korea over the sinking of their ship and loss of 46 sailors.....not to mention 60 years of American troops and lost lives.)  South Korea is announcing they are imposing some....but not all.  There is a major gap in what they are willing to do.  And, guess what happens when sanctions are half baked? have gaps and leaks? I don't need to tell you it means the sanctions are limp and worthless at creating the intended effect - here to discourage Iran from going nuclear. I know our State Department is publicly acting happy with South Korea like we got all we asked for but that is simply not so.   (And let me repeat, of all countries to snub us!)

Here is the what they have agreed to do:  South Korea, with US pressure, has added 102 Iranian firms and 24 people to a blacklist of who South Koreans can not do business with .....and promised to inspect cargo more diligently (more diligently? how about completely?) and hold back on investment in oil and gas business deals.

BUT...South Korea REFUSES to shut down Bank Mellat - which is the Iranian bank in South Korea that is critical to Iranian business.  This bank operating in South Korea is very important to Iran.  We asked South Korea to shut down this bank.  They are not.  They refused us.  This is NOT insignificant - not only does it snub us (how about those American troops at the DMZ protecting them? or how about Secretary of State Clinton and Secretary of Defense recent symbolic visit to the DMZ?)  but worse it provides a leak in the sanctions and renders sanctions worthless.

I don't need to tell you that South Korea knows about the danger of nuclear weapons.  South Korea is the country most nervous about a North Korea armed country (and of course we spend lots of our  time and our resources on that problem for them) but a nuclear armed Iran is a threat to the world.

I realize that sanctions would create a short term economic hardship for South Korea but what about long term hardship for the world? If everyone is going to cheat when it comes to sanctions, why do we kid ourselves and impose them?

So while our State Department can praise South Korea for its announcement, I think it is lousy of South Korea.

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The current Long-Range Strategic Defence Plan of the ROK includes a pure ROK force, without US troops stationed in the country.

NTM

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It's been 60 years - how long before they can handle their own border?

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They pretty much already are...

The US has less than a brigade of actual combat troops in country....

2/9 IN and 1/72 AR - 2 BN of combined-arms (Armor and Mech Infantry) IIRC...

That's *IT*.
 

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There is no military reason to foward deploy to ROK.



We only remain so US blood will be spilled giving us a sympathetic casus belli.  These days, with our vast fast sea lift fleet, there is no reason we need to forward deploy anything other than MEU's at sea and a MPF or two with MAGTAF gear.  All prepo stocks, all garrison bases should be shut down.  Use the savings to flesh out our transport assets as needed.

Quoted:

There is no military reason to foward deploy to ROK.



We only remain so US blood will be spilled giving us a sympathetic casus belli. These days, with our vast fast sea lift fleet, there is no reason we need to forward deploy anything other than MEU's at sea and a MPF or two with MAGTAF gear. All prepo stocks, all garrison bases should be shut down. Use the savings to flesh out our transport assets as needed.