By I sure hope this is true:
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan says South Korea and the United States have not discussed or agreed to delay the U.S. transfer of wartime operational command to Seoul.
Before the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs on Thursday, Yu denied media reports saying Seoul and Washington have effectively agreed to delay the transfer set for 2012.
Top presidential advisor on security issues Kim Sung-hwan also told the parliamentary steering committee that no such discussions are taking place between the two nations on the matter.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun said that Seoul remains firm in its plans to implement the transfer as scheduled, adding, however, that North Korea’s military threats will be closely monitored and reflected in the transfer plan. [KBS Global]
It seems to me the South Korean government down the road will use the North Korean threat to delay the hand over.
So how many people think the OPCON will stay at 2012?
10:21 am on April 22nd, 2010 1
Hell yes they will delay indefinitely, if South Korea had the controls they would sh*t their pants everytime North Korea made a move. IMO they don't have it in them to ever take the controls, they are perfectly content to have the good ol' USA lead the way… and rightfully so otherwise they would be fooked in every sense of the word.
12:28 pm on April 22nd, 2010 2
Delay? Why delay? Because the Korean side wants one? To me, the whole ball is in the US court. All the US has to say is "no" to the delay. What's the problem here? Don't tell me South Korea is making the US by bending and twisting its arm against its will. LOL
So what's all this bitching is about? Just say "no" and get the hell out, end of story. Then just maybe blogs like this will disappear also, since there will be no more reasons for Americans to stay and help the smiling and conspiring evil Koreans who are the worst non human animals that are screwing pure good innocent America.
1:16 pm on April 22nd, 2010 3
"also, since there will be no more reasons for Americans to stay and help the smiling and conspiring evil Koreans who are the worst non human animals that are screwing pure good innocent America."
Finally Tom has seen the light.
2:34 pm on April 22nd, 2010 4
I'm with you TOM. America out of Korea. This blog will still be up in any case. Koreans in charge
of their own country 
The mistakes and begging for America to come back will be something to write about. 
Glad we agree there Tom!
8:48 pm on April 22nd, 2010 5
Why would there be crying and begging for America to come back? You really think Korea is another Philippines? But you can dream on. I let you.
9:08 pm on April 22nd, 2010 6
Not a "dream" TOM. Yes, Korea depends on America just as the Philippines did and is doing today. We are back in the PI. More low key this time. But they were so happy we left in 91. Untill they needed us again. The Korean mind is little different from them.
1:15 am on April 23rd, 2010 7
Because that's what you people do Tom. Koreans were all in the streets in 2002. Later, Bush decided to pull out a brigade and Koreans got all worried. Then some choppers got pulled out a couple years back and Koreans got worried.
Korea should be defended and fought over by Koreans because Koreans don't deserve to have foreigners help them out in any way, shape or form.
Imagine, America pulls out of Korea and the NORKS attack. If you don't think South Koreans would be crying for the US to come back, you're a dumb ass.
I always found Philippine were much cooler than
1:20 am on April 23rd, 2010 8
Philipine nationals are generally (not always) much cooler than Korean nationals is what I meant to say.
Tom, what would happen to all those who are employed by the USFK and their families if America were to leave?
3:27 am on April 23rd, 2010 9
You guys can wish and hope and pray Korea will crumble and get destroyed and all its evil people dead and blown up.
But it's not going to happen if all you guys bitch and whine all day long on some dumb internet site.
Like I said, the ball is in the US's court. To complain that Koreans are wanting this and wanting that, are a joke. If you don't want to be in that position where the evil Koreans are taking American military hostages, then just leave! It's ultimately US's decision to do decide what constitutes their national interest. To incessantly and ridiculously complain and protest what Koreans are "trying to do", is nonsense when it's ultimately it's your government that decides what they're going to do with their own military. Just get out of Korea, and get out of Asia in general, that should make you happy. In this new climate of changing world order, we'll do just fine, we don't need you.
3:31 am on April 23rd, 2010 10
JohnT, Canadians are way more cooler than Americans. Canada is much more livable than the US. Mexicans are way more kinder and cooler than you Americans. What would happen to all those USFK and their families? Either they'd be all deployed to Afghanistan or end up unemployed back in the states. I hear the financially bankrupt US government tried to cut down by closing the military bases. Touche.
5:12 am on April 23rd, 2010 11
Why do you guys bother responding to Tom?
7:41 am on April 23rd, 2010 12
Because it's FUN to hear him reach for illogic to defend an undefendable position.
I need to know that there are people like TOM. It reinforces my position. Which is that Korea need not be pitied. Just physically left to itself.
8:53 am on April 23rd, 2010 13
Yawn….
Well someone's got help the world Tom, God knows the ROK military isn't doing anything to help. Well, they are good at making it look like they did.
That's ok Tom, I'm sure America and the rest of the world will continue to help an ungrateful Korea.
BTW, I don't hope Korea crumbles, I just don't care anymore if it does and if it does, Korea doesn't go crying to international community for help! Korea isn't deserving of it.
You "hear" Tom? Either you know or you don't.
TOUCHE!
9:01 am on April 23rd, 2010 14
And again, a Korean telling the US to get out of Asia.
Tom, Asians don't think Korea represents them. I know it's hard for Koreans to take, but it's that's the way is in the world.
And considering how Koreans look down their noses at other Asians, can you blame them?
9:11 am on April 23rd, 2010 15
I just have one message to all you angry GI's, ex-GI's, pretend-ex-GI's, and angry English teachers in Korea. Stop being so angry at Koreans all the time which explains your hatred. If you don't like your situation, then take control and change it. Frankly I think Korea has given you guys good well paying jobs for speaking your own language, and in general the people are nice to you and treat you well (especially compared to guest workers and immigrants from Asia). You have much to thankful for, yet I guess that's not enough. If that's the case, then just take control, just leave – back to your utopia where peace and harmony rules. Maybe then the rest of us will be spared of this incessant whining.
9:20 am on April 23rd, 2010 16
The Chinese love you guys, they want you over there. LOL.
Talking about looking down their noses at others, there's no-one better at that then you Americans. You guys look down on EVERYBODY who's not American. It's no wonder why there's so many burning of your flags around the world. Go and attack Iran next, rape their men in POW prisons. Go play war.
9:22 am on April 23rd, 2010 17
"Because it’s FUN to hear him reach for illogic to defend an undefendable position."
Yeah, there is that. Still, I just get images of him kneeling before his computer and rubbing one out every time one of us fires back.
10:22 am on April 23rd, 2010 18
Tom, by saying that about Americans, do you include Korean-Americans? Probably not.
That's the diff between me and you and Koreans like you. I see Korean-Americans as Americans where Koreans generally do not. If I have a beef with Canada, I include every Canadian regardless of ethnicity, unlike the majority of Koreans appear to do.
When a Korean says they hate Americans or foreigners, you can be damn sure the majority aren't talking about Korean-Americans.
Some Americans do look down on others Tom, at least I can admit that. I've never said America was perfect, far from it. If it is so bad, why do Koreans sell their souls for a Green Card and why don't Korean-Americans flee back to the Motherland.
Again, how many Korean born foreigners hold high gov't and company postions in Korea compared to that of ethnic Koreans in th US Tom? How man half black, half Koreans became president of Korea Tom? Now talk to me about looking down one's nose.
Also Tom, I was telling you Koreans what other Asians I talked to said about Koreans.
The fact is, other Asians don't want Korea representing them in any way, shape or form. Go to Cambodia and ask them about how they feel about it. Other Asian nations don't really like Korea, or are indifferent to Korea Tom. The Chinese don't even like Korea, they now prefer the Japanese! Then again, who doesn't?!
You ever hear an American talk about representing New Zealand Tom?
The US is still numer one, has still done more in it's short history than Korea ever will accomplish and is still, unfortunately, Korea's only friend.
Believe me Tom, I want the US to stop having anything more to do with Korea more than you or your pure blooded country folk want.
The answer
10:39 am on April 23rd, 2010 19
Who said Korea is representing Asia JohnT? I said get out of Asia. That doesn't mean Korea is representing Asia. I said get out of Asia, because as soon as you get out of Korea, you're almost totally out of Asia because Japan doesn't want you anymore, and that just leaves the Philippines. And the Philipinos aren't exactly welcoming to you either. After all, they did kick you guys out a while back, and only invited you back because they want your US military money. Please don't put words in my mouth JohnT. Cambodians? Who cares? Do Americans care about Cambodians? Do they even know where Cambodia is? And also I'm going by what others have told me about you Americans – not pretty to say the least. I won't have to repeat what they have told me. Frankly, I think it's best that you guys leave Korea. The less South Korea depended on your failing country, the better position for South Korea to avoid similar ruin, when your economic collapse comes. I am advising against South Korea from buying anymore of your worthless treasuries. It's not worth the paper that's written on. If you guys still leave South Korea after all this, you'll be forced to leave anyway, sooner or later because you've run out of money. By then, you'll end up swimming home because you wouldn't be afforded plane tickets. You better leave now. That goes not just for Korea, but also to all your military bases around the world.
10:57 am on April 23rd, 2010 20
" If it is so bad, why do Koreans sell their souls for a Green Card and why don’t Korean-Americans flee back to the Motherland."
They do, JohnT. More Korean Americans come back to Korea, than Koreans immigrating to the US. Have you looked at the numbers lately? US is no longer the country that it was painted it to be. Maybe the Korean prostitutes want to go there to make money, but even them, they mostly end up back in Korea at some point. And it will soon become a flood once the US fully becomes a third world country in a few years.
12:34 pm on April 23rd, 2010 21
Note this came from the the same crew who said 40,000 Koreans were murdered in the Rodney King Riots. The immigration attorneys I know in North Texas process around 250-300 immigration files per year. That's just one region of one state. Doesn't count the folks who are doing the paperwork on their own…
1:12 pm on April 23rd, 2010 22
Can you back up your claim that some paper printed 40,000 Koreans were murdered in the Rodney King riot? You guys have such a good imagination.
Look at the figures, 2008, 1200 Koreans immigrated to the US. In 2009, the number reduced to 450. And 2010 and beyond..?
Maybe you should accept the fact that Koreans aren't exactly knocking down your doors to immigrate to your country.
2:21 pm on April 23rd, 2010 23
GOOD! Take their little flat asses back to korea.
2:21 pm on April 23rd, 2010 24
Marcus Ambrose, do you know what naturalization means? It means anyone who immigrated from 1900 to 2009 can finally decide to take the US citizenship. So for instance if I had immigrated in 1978 and decided not to take up US citizenship, I can still decide to take it today. That has nothing to do with new Korean immigrants immigrating to the States for the first time. How am I lying? Look at the numbers again.
3:26 pm on April 23rd, 2010 25
Duh, but the point is: if they are getting naturalized, they want to be U.S. Citizens, which means that contrary to your wishful thinking, they aren't going back to korea.
Try this: http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/publications/…
And select the "U.S. Legal Permanent Residents". You will see:
South Korea* . . . . . . . . . . 25,859 (2009) 22,405 (2008) 26,666 (2007)
So, there were almost 26,000 NEW cases of legal permanent residence granted. Dude, despite your claims of utopia, the facts don't support your case. Between the two figures that means 50,000 koreans chose to get US naturalization or residency. Show me where your stats are that more than 50,000 chose to permanently move back to korea? Or, just show me where more than 25,000 moved back to korea (to match the NEW residency numbers). You can't.
6:43 pm on April 23rd, 2010 26
Provide proof of your numbers Tom. Back up your claim that more Koreans are returning than leaving.
6:50 pm on April 23rd, 2010 27
That still does not prove anything. Anyone can renew their legal residents after a certain number of years, duh. It does not say these are NEW legal residents. If an English teacher from Texas renews his working visa to teach another year in Korea, does that mean he wants to immigrate to Korea.. of course not.
You are funny, man.
6:56 pm on April 23rd, 2010 28
Marcus, he’s either lying or he’ll post up some questionable stats. I can think of exactly one Korean I know who went back. I also have two attorney friends who help Koreans with immigration issues. Business at their office seems brisk to me.
7:07 pm on April 23rd, 2010 29
http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/01/06/2010010602151.html?Dep0=chosunmain&Dep1=news&Dep2=topheadline&Dep3=top
This article says Koreans who had immigrated to US are now considering there are more opportunities in Korea, and that Korea is the new country of opporunity (an acronym that used to refer to the US, which no longer is), and that number of Koreans returning home are steadily increasing. The numbers for 2009 indicates that only about 400 Koreans immigrated to the US – a record historic low especially compared to 30,000 per year during the 1970′s and 1980′s. It looks like you’ll get your wishes of no more evil bad Koreans. This should make you guys happy. It’s making me happy too.
7:57 pm on April 23rd, 2010 30
Chinese Naval Power Expands to Waters the US Dominates
The South China Sea is a core interest of China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/world/asia/24navy.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world
8:20 pm on April 23rd, 2010 31
Kushibo or Tom- please choose a side and go with it.
9:06 pm on April 23rd, 2010 32
Tom, wrong again.
http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/immigration.shtm
Click on the report: Naturalization in the United States
17,000 koreans in 2007, 23,000 in 2008, and 17,000 in 2009. ACTUAL statistics. Its a far cry from the 400 lie you just told.
11:40 pm on April 23rd, 2010 33
Marcus, I think Tom doesn't understand the concept of "Permanent Residence" where an immigrant is a foreign national but is allowed to live in the US barring him or her doing something stupid.
Sure, Koreans aren't coming here like they used to and not many get on the citizenship track. But like I said before, I sure haven't seen Koreans in my area hopping on the first available flight back to Korea.
A few days ago, I was talking with my contact at one of the local Korean newspapers. They are getting ready to distribute a new brochure at the KAL terminal because of the increasing number of Koreans coming to the area FROM KOREA. There's yet another nail in the coffin…
12:22 am on April 24th, 2010 34
Tom will dispute anything that goes against him. But Tom, I have given you many examples in writing. Where are your sources? Where are your facts published? And yes, those are NEW approved applications.