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South Korea's new president wants to reverse its North Korea policy

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sanman

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South Korea's newly-elected liberal president wants to warm up ties with North Korea in pursuit of a reconciliation process - he clearly doesn't want to continue isolation of the Pyongyang regime:

New South Korean President Moon Jae-in wants to reverse its North Korea policy - CNN.com


Seoul (CNN)Seoul's policy on North Korea is about to get a major overhaul.

Exit polling and early results show liberal reformer Moon Jae-in has been elected South Korea's next president, replacing impeached leader Park Geun-hye who was removed from office in March following a corruption scandal.

Moon has advocated dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in stark contrast to Park's approach of tough sanctions and aggressive rhetoric.

Voters were mainly focused on corruption and the economy, but North Korea loomed large over the election after weeks of rising tensions between Pyongyang and the US administration under President Donald Trump.

Return to sunshine?

A former special forces soldier and human rights lawyer, Moon came in for criticism during the campaign from hardline conservatives who saw him as weak on North Korea.

He has called for a combination of negotiations and economic cooperation alongside military and security measures.

"I am confident to lead the diplomatic efforts involving multiple parties, which will lead to the complete abandonment of the North Korean nuclear program, and bring the relationship between South and North to peace, economic cooperation and mutual prosperity," Moon said in an April 25 debate.

His stance has been compared to the so-called "Sunshine Policy" of the liberal governments of 1998 to 2008. By no coincidence, he was a key adviser to those administrations.

During the Sunshine Policy, Seoul actively engaged Pyongyang, which led to closer relations on both sides of the border and saw two South Korean Presidents visit the North Korean capital. However, the approach ultimately failed to halt North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
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If South Koreans want to break with US strategy, then they'd better be willing to go it alone, and not do it on the backs of American military forces. Once their younger generation of citizenry are forced to take responsibility for the security of their country instead of having Americans do it for them, then they'll receive a rude awakening under a strong dose of reality.

I think Trump's right to want to negotiate with the North Koreans directly and separately from the South Koreans, when the South Koreans are taking a stance that undermines partnership with the United States. Let's be clear - South Korea's traditional foreign policy along with President Park have been in place long before Donald Trump got into politics, so this can't be blamed on some mere rejection of Trump. By abandoning the policies that have underpinned traditional cooperation between the US and South Korea, the latter are trying to move beyond their current strategic partnership with the US. In that case, let them do it on their own dime, putting up their own blood and treasure, instead of somebody else's.
 
sanman said:
South Korea's newly-elected liberal president wants to warm up ties with North Korea in pursuit of a reconciliation process - he clearly doesn't want to continue isolation of the Pyongyang regime:

New South Korean President Moon Jae-in wants to reverse its North Korea policy - CNN.com




If South Koreans want to break with US strategy, then they'd better be willing to go it alone, and not do it on the backs of American military forces. Once their younger generation of citizenry are forced to take responsibility for the security of their country instead of having Americans do it for them, then they'll receive a rude awakening under a strong dose of reality.

I think Trump's right to want to negotiate with the North Koreans directly and separately from the South Koreans, when the South Koreans are taking a stance that undermines partnership with the United States. Let's be clear - South Korea's traditional foreign policy along with President Park have been in place long before Donald Trump got into politics, so this can't be blamed on some mere rejection of Trump. By abandoning the policies that have underpinned traditional cooperation between the US and South Korea, the latter are trying to move beyond their current strategic partnership with the US. In that case, let them do it on their own dime, putting up their own blood and treasure, instead of somebody else's.
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The 625,000 members of the South Korean Military and the 3.1 million reserves aren't exactly sitting on the backs of the 28,500 members of the US military.
 
AliHajiSheik said:
The 625,000 members of the South Korean Military and the 3.1 million reserves aren't exactly sitting on the backs of the 28,500 members of the US military.
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Military might hasn't been measured in headcount for about 100 years...
 
If the US pulled out of South Korea, the North would overrun the South within a week. Then they would have their reunification, although it would be at the point of the North's bayonets and with their necks under the North's boots.
 
sanman said:
South Korea's newly-elected liberal president wants to warm up ties with North Korea in pursuit of a reconciliation process - he clearly doesn't want to continue isolation of the Pyongyang regime:

New South Korean President Moon Jae-in wants to reverse its North Korea policy - CNN.com




If South Koreans want to break with US strategy, then they'd better be willing to go it alone, and not do it on the backs of American military forces. Once their younger generation of citizenry are forced to take responsibility for the security of their country instead of having Americans do it for them, then they'll receive a rude awakening under a strong dose of reality.

I think Trump's right to want to negotiate with the North Koreans directly and separately from the South Koreans, when the South Koreans are taking a stance that undermines partnership with the United States. Let's be clear - South Korea's traditional foreign policy along with President Park have been in place long before Donald Trump got into politics, so this can't be blamed on some mere rejection of Trump. By abandoning the policies that have underpinned traditional cooperation between the US and South Korea, the latter are trying to move beyond their current strategic partnership with the US. In that case, let them do it on their own dime, putting up their own blood and treasure, instead of somebody else's.
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Diplomatic efforts to get the Norks from abandoning their nuclear ambitions ?

Sounds like a modern day Manchurian Candidate
 
sanman said:
South Korea's newly-elected liberal president wants to warm up ties with North Korea in pursuit of a reconciliation process - he clearly doesn't want to continue isolation of the Pyongyang regime:

New South Korean President Moon Jae-in wants to reverse its North Korea policy - CNN.com




If South Koreans want to break with US strategy, then they'd better be willing to go it alone, and not do it on the backs of American military forces. Once their younger generation of citizenry are forced to take responsibility for the security of their country instead of having Americans do it for them, then they'll receive a rude awakening under a strong dose of reality.

I think Trump's right to want to negotiate with the North Koreans directly and separately from the South Koreans, when the South Koreans are taking a stance that undermines partnership with the United States. Let's be clear - South Korea's traditional foreign policy along with President Park have been in place long before Donald Trump got into politics, so this can't be blamed on some mere rejection of Trump. By abandoning the policies that have underpinned traditional cooperation between the US and South Korea, the latter are trying to move beyond their current strategic partnership with the US. In that case, let them do it on their own dime, putting up their own blood and treasure, instead of somebody else's.
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I don't think that the problem is any longer a Korean problem. The nasty man has threatened us and is developing the deliverable payloads to do the damage. If China and South Korea don't want real and hellish danger, it would be good, were they to shoulder their responsibilities and take robust action.
 
sanman said:
South Korea's newly-elected liberal president wants to warm up ties with North Korea in pursuit of a reconciliation process - he clearly doesn't want to continue isolation of the Pyongyang regime:

New South Korean President Moon Jae-in wants to reverse its North Korea policy - CNN.com




If South Koreans want to break with US strategy, then they'd better be willing to go it alone, and not do it on the backs of American military forces. Once their younger generation of citizenry are forced to take responsibility for the security of their country instead of having Americans do it for them, then they'll receive a rude awakening under a strong dose of reality.

I think Trump's right to want to negotiate with the North Koreans directly and separately from the South Koreans, when the South Koreans are taking a stance that undermines partnership with the United States. Let's be clear - South Korea's traditional foreign policy along with President Park have been in place long before Donald Trump got into politics, so this can't be blamed on some mere rejection of Trump. By abandoning the policies that have underpinned traditional cooperation between the US and South Korea, the latter are trying to move beyond their current strategic partnership with the US. In that case, let them do it on their own dime, putting up their own blood and treasure, instead of somebody else's.
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It's their country, if they want to give it a go, then so be it.
 
The ROK's want reunification? So, who is going to be a communist and who ain't? Kim sure as hell isn't going to give up his catbird seat voluntarily.
 
joG said:
I don't think that the problem is any longer a Korean problem. The nasty man has threatened us and is developing the deliverable payloads to do the damage. If China and South Korea don't want real and hellish danger, it would be good, were they to shoulder their responsibilities and take robust action.
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China made the mistake of getting into bed with an irredentist state (North Korea), thinking they could use them for superficial gain, and are now increasingly finding that their wolf has slipped their leash, and is now prowling on its own.

Meanwhile, South Korea seems to likewise be increasingly behaving like a spoiled kid who thinks he knows better than everyone else. Well, if you know so much, then you can take care of yourself, without tugging on Uncle Sam's coat.

The US should draw down its forces to a mere Southern coastal presence. I don't see why South Korea needs or deserves a special free trade agreement with the US, which has not been given to others, and was only given to South Korea to facilitate an alliance partner. They don't need it anymore - they've said they know how to take care of themselves.
 
jmotivator said:
Military might hasn't been measured in headcount for about 100 years...
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Beaudreaux said:
If the US pulled out of South Korea, the North would overrun the South within a week. Then they would have their reunification, although it would be at the point of the North's bayonets and with their necks under the North's boots.
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Anyone who thinks the KPA can defeat the ROKAF has no idea what they are talking about.
 
Beaudreaux said:
The north has nukes, and will use them. The south doesn't.
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The North has nukes with limited and unstable delivery platforms, and furthermore given the close proximity to South Korea usage of them renders North Korea itself susceptible to fallout and radiation.

And the KPA has hardly any protective NBC gear to actually operate in a nuclear environment. There's a reason North Korea hasn't dismantled their conventional forces despite their nuclear arsenal.
 
Jredbaron96 said:
The North has nukes with limited and unstable delivery platforms, and furthermore given the close proximity to South Korea usage of them renders North Korea itself susceptible to fallout and radiation.
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In case you hadn't noticed, the Kim Dynasty are willing to starve the entire North Korean population while hanging onto power.
What bizarre naivete makes you think they'd be all tearful about anyone near the DMZ suffering from fallout and radiation exposure?

And the KPA has hardly any protective NBC gear to actually operate in a nuclear environment. There's a reason North Korea hasn't dismantled their conventional forces despite their nuclear arsenal.
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Don't be ridiculous - any army has to maintain all levels of readiness. North Korea can hit targets all over South Korea where its troops won't immediately be.

Anyway, if South Korea thinks it doesn't need Uncle Sam anymore, then let them shoulder their own burdens and stand on their own feet. No need for them to mouth off like a teenager living under somebody else's roof.
 
Beaudreaux said:
If the US pulled out of South Korea, the North would overrun the South within a week. Then they would have their reunification, although it would be at the point of the North's bayonets and with their necks under the North's boots.
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It's not 1950 anymore. The North Korean equipment is mostly aging and Soviet. Seoul would get hammered pretty heavily by North Korean artillery, but even by itself South Korea wouldn't get "overrrun in a week"--- or at all. You definitely wouldn't see the kind of Nork advances you saw in 1950.
 
sanman said:
In case you hadn't noticed, the Kim Dynasty are willing to starve the entire North Korean population while hanging onto power.
What bizarre naivete makes you think they'd be all tearful about anyone near the DMZ suffering from fallout and radiation exposure?
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There's no doubt in my mind Kim Jong Un doesn't give a **** what happens to his people or his troops. But he surely cares about himself.



Don't be ridiculous - any army has to maintain all levels of readiness. North Korea can hit targets all over South Korea where its troops won't immediately be.
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A normal army yes, but not one of a blockaded and isolationist regime that pours every ounce of it's limited natural resources into defense. The KPA has demonstrated neither tactical prowess or operational flexibility. The ROKAF has.
 
This reminds me of what Obama said about Cuba.

If after 50 years there haven't been changes, close your eyes and do something, it doesn't matter what.
 
sanman said:
China made the mistake of getting into bed with an irredentist state (North Korea), thinking they could use them for superficial gain, and are now increasingly finding that their wolf has slipped their leash, and is now prowling on its own.

Meanwhile, South Korea seems to likewise be increasingly behaving like a spoiled kid who thinks he knows better than everyone else. Well, if you know so much, then you can take care of yourself, without tugging on Uncle Sam's coat.

The US should draw down its forces to a mere Southern coastal presence. I don't see why South Korea needs or deserves a special free trade agreement with the US, which has not been given to others, and was only given to South Korea to facilitate an alliance partner. They don't need it anymore - they've said they know how to take care of themselves.
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As important as it might be to stand by one's alliance obligations, I am more interested in the NK threat to the US. IT would be better to obliterate the country than let it gain nuclear attack capabilities.
 
joG said:
As important as it might be to stand by one's alliance obligations, I am more interested in the NK threat to the US. IT would be better to obliterate the country than let it gain nuclear attack capabilities.
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I very much agree - and the South Koreans need to understand that, or else shoulder their security burden on their own.
 
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