Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Robert Abrams, the nominee to be the next US commander on the Korean Peninsula, insisted the troops need to remain in South Korea, saying there would “be a significant amount of risk tactically” if the US withdrew.
Officials have insisted there are no intentions of withdrawing US troops from South Korea at this point, though there has been some speculation that, if North Korea diplomacy ends in a peace treaty, there may be no need for the troops to stay.
That’s not an imminent concern for Gen. Abrams, though being commander of US Forces in South Korea is a major post, and the post wouldn’t be available if there aren’t troops there. South Korea has also pushed back against any withdrawals, fearing economic fallout of not having a large, costly US presence.
Gen. Abrams also told the committee that the suspension of US wargames in South Korea, done to prevent provocation of North Korea during the talks, had led to a “slight degradation” of capabilities in Korea.
I fully agree that withdrawing troops comes at a tactical cost. I think it actually means the same thing. Less troops, less overwhelming force, you know.
There is also the option of just ‘withdrawing nukes’ which have been placed there a very long time ago.
And there is the option of reducing tensions. Minimizing activity.
Withdrawing civilians would be entirely different. That’s the kind of thing you do when you expect war, for instance because you intend to start one.
The main issue with withdrawing troops is strategic and economical, not tactical. Why are they there? Against North Korea? Against China? To keep the tension up? To justify presence and keep everyone on their side?
There will always be reasons to keep them there.
Like…. To line the pockets of all those connected to the income stream….. Would someone with time to spare PLEASE do the research: Follow the money!!!!! Remember the Samsung revelations of vast slush funds going to people scarey connected to the corporation. It was only tens of millions.. In Korea there are billions in slush funds associated with the vast cost of our unfortunate hostages being stuck there. Free our troops!!! Free all the hostages!
That general really likes the new golf course.
US General: Removing troops from Korea a Major Risk to My Job.