[tw]

Originally posted by russotto
Yeah. For the simple reason that the ROK (stupid rumors tw wants to blame on Bush aside) knows that the DPRK troops won't be nearly as nice.

Since there were no rumors, then stupid would be one who did not know old news. Posted was fact. But based upon the local response, I again have made the same mistake. I had assumed news reports were commonly known. The silly emotional response by a few Daily News readers is understandable. Posted was news they did not know AND diplomatic probablilites too complex for some to comprehend.

Experts Assess U.S. Forces in S. Korea, By Joseph Coleman, Associated Press Writer

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--South Korea's president-elect is planning for possible reductions of U.S. troops. ...

Speculation about possible reductions in the 37,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea may be on the rise, but their No. 1 enemy in the neighborhood--North Korea--is the top reason they probably won't be going home anytime soon.

Serious consideration of a troop cut in the midst of Washington's high-tension standoff with the communist state over its nuclear weapons programs could run the risk of emboldening Pyongyang.
...

Irish Examiner 31 December 2002
South Korea calls for talks to resolve nuclear dispute peacefully by Paul Shin, Seoul
...
President-elect Roh Moo-hyun told the military to set up a contingency plan in case the US reduces the strength of its 37,000 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against the North. There are no confirmed US plans for a withdrawal. But South Korea is worried that if the US reduces its forces reacting to rising anti-US sentiment that would make it more vulnerable to an attack from the North

Minneapolis-St Paul Star Tribune 31 Dec 2002
Russia warns North Korea not to ditch nuclear treaty
...
But President-elect Roh Moo-hyun, who takes office in February, told the military to set up a contingency plan in case the United States reduces the strength of its 37,000 troops stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against the North.
...
There are no U.S. plans for a withdrawal, but Seoul worries that if the United States reduces its forces -- reacting to anti-U.S. sentiment among South Koreans -- the South would be more vulnerable to an attack from the North similar to the 1950 assault that precipitated the Korean War.

No rumors were posted. S Korea needed contingency plans. And now we know why. US had been studying plans to attack N Korea. Not difficult to believe considering George Jr, his staff of hardliners, and their history of advocating war as the first solution.

But then even George Jr could not help but to learn how wrong he was with so many world leaders responding so negatively to his strategy. Last week George Jr reversed himself on a policy of not rewarding bad behavior by, instead, offering N Korea a generous offer of "large-scale fuel and food assistance." Even George Jr finally learned how stupid it was to terminate all communicaton with N Korea. He finally listened to solutions long advocated by Japan and S Korea. Maybe he is learning something about international diplomacy after all. He followed the advise of more intelligent leaders from allied countries. That can only be a good sign.