By I told you so:
South Korea and the United States both feel the need to delay transferring wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul under the current climate, a senior government official said this week.
Some South Korean officials have recently called for a delay of the transfer, which is scheduled to take place in April 2012, because of persistent threats from North Korea.
Addressing reporters in a background briefing Monday, the senior official explained that under the South Korea-U.S. agreement on the planned transfer, the two sides can discuss delaying the shift of the control by one to two years.
Problems related to the security situation on the Korean Peninsula or to strategic weapons could warrant such discussions, the official added.
“But the problem is that some people would like to see the transfer itself entirely reconsidered,” the official said. “The [conservative] Korea Retired Generals and Admirals Association has called for changes to the existing terms of the deal because its members are worried about the adverse impact that the control transfer could have on the peninsula. [Joong Ang Ilbo]
Like I have continued to say I would not be surprised to see the operational control deadline delayed considering reports have already been leaked that President Obama has agreed to do this in exchange for ROK military support in Afghanistan. That is why the hand over of operational control is something I will need to see to believe.
9:15 pm on March 23rd, 2010 1
Proves that the US has no intention of leaving Korea, never had, and never will. Their aim is to stay forever.
10:53 pm on March 23rd, 2010 2
Because they are so welcome and so very HAPPY there!
It makes so much sense to dump bazillions of dollars there… and tie down tens of thousands of troops.
Seriously, though, Tom. WHY would we think we need to stay here? I think we have done all we can do and we should go home. Korea can stand on its own just fine. We'd still be there if things got hot.
You think it might be Korean influence keeping the US here?
11:18 pm on March 23rd, 2010 3
Tom, We left the Philippines in 1991, after nearly 90 years. The reason was because they kept uping the RENT for Clark Airbase and Subic Bay. Then the Eruption happened DURING the talks. After we had agreed to much change in the contract.
If Korea wanted the U.S. out of Korea, we would be gone very quickly. Bet your ass on that! We do not need Korea. Korea needs the U.S.
I for one, vote we leave. I'm not alone in this.
12:10 am on March 24th, 2010 4
You're not alone on this, so what's the problem, why don't they leave?
Don't tell me Korean influence in Washington is that much. 
2:03 am on March 24th, 2010 5
Tom, apples and oranges.
Whether there are any US forces prepositioned on the Korean peninsular is completely separate from the decision on who would have operational control during another conflict.
3:48 am on March 24th, 2010 6
The US should leave and not come back even if the ROK is threatened. I'm sure there will be a flood of gyopos who would volunteer to help Korea in such an event anyway right? Korea is not worth the spilling of non Korean blood anyway. It probably never was to begin with at that.
In truth, the only Koreans that want the USFK in Korea are those Koreans who work for USFK, black marketeers and the older Koreans.
The ROK gov't should make Korean women serve, extend the time Korean males have to spend in the service and make any and all gyopos who step foot on Korean soil serve in the ROK military.
Let Koreans die for Korea and no one else, Korea just isn't worth it.
8:11 am on March 24th, 2010 7
The U.S. did not voluntarily leave the Philippines, they were voted out.
The U.S. will leave South Korea, as soon as the South Korean government cancels the SOFA. So, Tom, go petition your folks to cancel the SOFA and there will be no more U.S. personnel in Korea to bug you.
8:14 am on March 24th, 2010 8
So says JohnT. But at the end of the day, USFK is still in Korea. Please just shut up and leave, will you?
Enough of this talking about leaving, just do it! The USFK is like a bad girlfriend who threatens to break up but never does.
9:25 am on March 24th, 2010 9
How about South Korea grow a pair and declare "We don't need the U.S., please leave." And I'm not talking about you on this board, get your whole country to stand up with you and declare it.
I never do get why protesters gather in front of U.S. military bases, or why you are declaring so much on this board. Get your government to do shit.
9:41 am on March 24th, 2010 10
I hope hostilities don't break out in the next few days because the current operational commander could be delayed.
I posted something on this in the Forum.
9:44 am on March 24th, 2010 11
Very true. The people on the bases where the protesters go have no say in whether there is a US presence in Korea. The KOREAN government has to make that decision. It does no good to protest at the embassy either. The US is simply honoring treaties made with the KOREAN government. When the KOREAN government says go, I'm sure the US will gladly leave.
Don't they teach civics classes in Korean schools?
10:31 am on March 24th, 2010 12
Hmm it takes a special type of volunteer ignorance to misinterpret the Korean government requesting reconsideration into "The US never planned on leaving". I mean really, how stupid can people get (I don't want someone to answer this… I'm afraid to know).
The real reason the ROK wants to reconsider the OPCON is the blame game. Currently with the US at the wheel ~anything~ that happens, and the current situation with the DPRK can easily be blamed on the US regardless of what happens. That is how responsibility works, even if its not your fault your still responsible. If the ROK's were at the wheel they would have to take the blame for KJI and his son continuing their current trend. All those protesters crying that the US is preventing the "unification of the Corean people's" in some insidious plan would instead have to turn their ire to their own government.
Basically the US makes a find target for the public's outrage that lets the current ROK government off the hook. Changing the status que would take away that protection, and their politicians don't want that.
10:46 am on March 24th, 2010 13
Or even better Tom why don't you petition the South Korean people to make a binding referendum on USFK presence here? I sure as hell would rather be back home to my family than this hardship unaccompanied tour.
11:23 am on March 24th, 2010 14
OK. Please leave! I'm sick of you people belly aching. And take all the other belly aching hateful losers like JohnT with you while you're at it!
11:28 am on March 24th, 2010 15
Tom, your the biggest belly acher of them all…what are you talking about, it is you that should leave.
11:36 am on March 24th, 2010 16
The Mutual defense treaty is just a convenient excuse given out by the US government for staying in Korea. It's not like they haven't broken such treaties before during the Vietnam War, against the South Vietnamese. The US has a poor record of keeping any kind of promise when it goes against their national interests. Yet here is the US, faithfully keeping a 'promise' in Korea. Well, isn't that nice of them? But why? Quick answer: convenient excuse. You guys should hop on the plane and set up camp in Japan instead. But no, they don't want you there either. I guess that means setting up camp in US soil with three times the cost? Or better yet, why not just dissolve your entire division, or better yet send them over to Iraq and Afghanistan?
11:38 am on March 24th, 2010 17
I'm not leaving, I'm staying right here until you guys leave first!
11:40 am on March 24th, 2010 18
At least we got you out of our country, now you can return our name too.
2:05 pm on March 24th, 2010 19
My vote for many years now has been to leave South Korea. The sooner the better.
2:07 pm on March 24th, 2010 20
I'm with you Tom, I vote the US leave, I'm sick of you people belly aching.
9:42 pm on March 24th, 2010 21
I agree with YOU Tom! I am also sick of you people belly aching.
All American Forces should leave the (good for absolutely NOTHING), South Korea.
But YOUR government does not agree with you and me. Go talk to them and explain it will you. Thank you.
9:59 pm on March 24th, 2010 22
Just like Korea and America Tom. We are stuck with each other. ^_^
Your Korea will never tell America to go home. Too much money will be lost.
It isn't about Defence of Korea. It is about MONEY! Money for Korea!
Philippines did not want USA to go home either. They were trying to get more rent money for the bases. But then Pinatubo happened. The rest is history.
12:51 am on March 25th, 2010 23
Why do I get this feeling if we were to actually leave and Korea's historically pushy neighbors started bullying them around again, Tom would be the first to scream about our moral obligation to rescue them? I suspect it would come out quicker than you can say 日本統治時代の朝鮮 (Nippon Tōchi-jidai no Chōsen)
!
9:54 am on March 25th, 2010 24
"until we leave first", and then where are you planning to go?
2:49 pm on March 25th, 2010 25
National interests. Key word, Tom. The USA will do what it needs to do for the USA, and as far as they are concerned there is not a damn thing wrong with that.
I'm fine with it, too. As soon as it is no longer in our interests, time to go.
We sent a brigade to Iraq from here. I guarundamntee you it got the attention of the Blue House and the National Assembly.
12:36 pm on March 26th, 2010 26
Wow what a hodge podge of posts here, and only a few that have the clue. Then maybe I'm clueless also but Oh Fn well here is my feelings about this subject. We are not leaving Korea IMO. Maybe we wont leave Germany either. While the two have different reasons some reasons are similar. One thing in common is money. Though the main reason we will not leave South Korea is because the very minute we do we would have to come back as we will defend South Korea to the end now. And South Korea will not be able to defend against North Korea without us. North would be in Seoul ten days after we left. But South Korean's are our friends. You defend your friends, and family. That is who Korea is to us now. Whether some of you see it or not is not important! Ya, I know we helped them get on their feet, and they are using their feet to kick ass in world markets. We have many people that respect that. The work ethic in South Korea is second to none. We are proud of them for that, and when I say we I'm talking about allot of Americans that appreciate hard work, and smart business. Another we is the many of us that have married Korean folks, and have American children that are half Korean blood. We are not turning our backs on our friends or family! And ya know what? Sometimes some people have to do shite in the military that sucks to them but doesn't to other's. Example: folks are serving under Obama now. LOL. That is a joke. We are not leaving because we are part of South Korea, and South Korea is part of we. I know S Korean Folks are so different than American but even the folks that say they hate them are entertained by their ways. Korean people are every bit as special as any other people on this planet. They have put their time in through history. They do have wisdom that can help us. Especially our young people. We went through a war to protect them 60 years ago; now America is Part of the weave that makes up history in Korea. We have been there all through the restructuring and changing of South Korea from ashes to what it is now. Are we not part of South Korea whether some like it or not? Be honest folks these South Korean people are our friends and family. Stubborn as they seem to be most of them know that to be true also. Thank you
1:13 pm on March 26th, 2010 27
You thinking me sap on this subject is not important either. I left something out that is a bit of importance though. Of all Posts written before I entered this discussion only one caught my attention. The one right above mine. SOMEOTHERGUY: points out some good issues but i still feel we wont leave South Korea at least until we have no other choice, and I dont know what that would be other than them telling us to go. Dont see that ever happening unless the world become one government or North Korea caves in. Then south Korea would have cheap labor again. Look I know the friend and family stuff only goes so far as Korean People really dont respect the people that married GI's. So maybe I was a bit over the line with that. So before you attack know I am not completely sold with that idea. Wishful thinking doesn't make it true. And Fn around doesnt solve anything either. So there is all my truth on the subject
1:59 pm on March 26th, 2010 28
I suspect, OPCON will formally transition over to the ROKs on schedule with much hand wringing right up to the last second, but ultimately no significant hiccups will be noticed. It's all disinformation though, as I suspect in any real, all out confrontation with the norks, another Pusan letter will be forthcoming and OPCON will ultimately be bequeathed to a US GO if even the slightest mobilization of US ground forces is required.
2:51 pm on March 28th, 2010 29
Guys …. your reading this wrong. OPCON changing DOES NOT MEAN ANYONE IS LEAVING. Get that thought out of your heads. SK is the USA's ground foothold into east Asia, a place traditional known for land grabs and powder keg wars. With China becoming imperialistic and doing a power grab, one of the advantages the USA has is the ability to strike at China (and DPRK) instantly, something neither of those country's can do. That advantage is so large, it'll never be given up and we're willing to go through large expensive amounts of pain to maintain it.
Second is the very nature of the forces stationed in the ROK. There used to be an entire Army here, with a Infantry Division including Armor, Field Artillery, and all the support elements that compose this. 2ID has three fully staffed heavy brigades, a signal unit attached, and plenty of firepower at its disposal. This was a wartime force designed to engage in direct combat with the NK's should they come over the line. Times are different now, most of the combat forces have been moved off peninsula to be used elsewhere. We're down to a single infantry brigade, manned as slim as possible, very little FA / Armor left. Several signal units have closed shop / moved out. Hell there was an entire brigade devoted to being the theater material management command (TMMC), its been deactivated and its functions rolled into the local logistics command.
There is very little US firepower left on pen, not enough to make any real difference in a war. But we left lots of logistical / planning support in place. Less troops but more officers and senior leaders. The Koreans are going to be the ones fighting in the event the balloon goes up. The US troops will only defend the base's and provide area security, we will engage in defensive fire and counter fire to prevent the enemy from taking our positions, but we will never advance on enemy positions. Currently the twice a year exercise is lead by the ROK Generals, they do all the war gaming. Its NK vs SK force on force, we just provide logistical / intel / and planning support.
Because of the above reasons, we do not need a large combat force to be present, but we do need seasoned leaders to be present to advise the ROK's and to assist them with war planning. There is no question the USA has the best trained military in the world, we've spent the last decade training the ROK's much the same. For this end USFK will hand over operational control of the forces on peninsula to the South Korean Military. Their already running much of the show, making many of the decisions on their own. This is mostly just a transfer of responsibility, and the blame game that goes with it. The current Korean administration doesn't want to have to deal with their political adversaries who are mostly anti-USFK / anti-USA nationalists. Expect the change over to officially happen sometime after the next ROK elections.
2:12 pm on March 30th, 2010 30
Some good points again made by SOMEOTHERGUY. especially first paragraph and those thoughts had always been in my beliefs also. Even as I was leaving Camp Humphries in 83 we had scaled down considerably since my first tour in 78, so I know what you say is true, and can imagine the scale of military influince at this time.
This something I feel stronly about. We have the ability to get back in the saddle quick if we need to in the case China gets funky along with DPRK. The US scaling down Militarily Equipment has been no secret as we were scaling down and even closing shop in many places Rok was taking over older equip to train on and some of that has been replaced by midern now but Rok soldiers and technician are controlling it with vists from tech reps from certain companies. That was to be my Job had I not ended up 100% disabled.
2:48 pm on March 30th, 2010 31
I was not finished when this posted. The most important thing I wanted say is we amy seem to have scaled down Militarily in SK which is fine but for every slot that was closed for US Military on some out post in SK new one was opened on larger Post, and we have just as many troops in South Korea now as we did say 35 years ago. Call it a skeleton crew or whatever but most are extending because they like Korea so many are well trained. We are hanging onto our position for certain and it doesnt look like anything will change in that respect. Yes we are turning more controll over to ROK Forces for training, and even strike ability but you bet we will play a very large role when it comes time to put new, and improved into affect. Sorry for two posts and bad spelling in first. Ya think by now I would write all these in word and never hit enter button before posting.