The thing that I am always annoyed with is how the media here gets suprised by the obvious. People seem suprised that the Yongsan garrison and 2ID is going to be moved South of Seoul even though it has been talked about for years. Plus the accident in 2002 killing the two girls shows that the US military needs to move to an area with infrastructure that supports better vehicle safety to prevent such an accident from happening again. What is the reaction from the media? They can’t believe we really mean to move.

Then the announcement of the reduction of US troops in Korea comes as a “suprise.” What do you expect with the constant anti-American protests by college students here? If we are not wanted then we should start sending our soldiers elsewhere.

Recently the media has been suprised by the announcement by the Republicans that Japan will be the key ally in Asia and Korea only a regional democratic ally. Once again what do you expect? Japan consistently supports America and Korea remains a fair weather ally who only supports America begrudgently.

Now Korea is “suprised” once again that the US military is making changes to OPPLAN-5027 which is the military plan to defend Korea from North Korean aggression if it should occur (Chosun Article). The OPPLAN-5027 according to the Chosun would bring 690,000 combat troops to Korea within 90 days to crush the North Korean aggression. The new plan would not automatically bring overwhelming combat power to protect the Korean peninsula and would focus more on precise strikes at the enemy command and control to defeat them.

Also if the new base relocation plan continues to be dragged along by the Korean government the US may just move the bases to Japan and just deploy soldiers from there to intervene in any Korean conflict. If this happens all hell will really break out then. However, how is this not suprising? Do people expect the US government not to react to current events happening in Korea? Of course the US is going to make appropriate changes in accordance with the domestic political situation in Korea. I cannot think of one proposed change in regards to the US military in Korea that isn’t appropriate. Can you?