Why is the US army still in South Korea?

Question

I'm visiting Seoul and South Korea (been here three weeks now). From what I gather, it seems the South Koreans would rather deal with N.Korea themselves and leave US out of it. So, if this is the case, why is our army still stationed in Seoul and at the DMZ? (I am American.) I'm just curious...

Answer 1

Roh Mu Hyun was elected on an anti-US platform. Then when President Bush decided to remove a full brigade from South Korea Roh suddenly started crying. We had to agree to send extra patriot batteries and various other support weapons/units to make up for the missing brigade.
Then last year South Korean announces they want to dissolve the Combined Forces Command and control their own troops. No problem says the US, lets do it by 2009. Oh no! says Korea, 2012 is early enough.
No, the South Koreans do not want to deal with North Korea themselves. They want to deal with North Korea while big brother has their back.
If South Korea wants us out, all they have to do is give the word. The Philippines asked us to leave and we did (you see how well that has worked out for them).

Answer 2

I am stationed in Korea right now and deal directly with Public Relations. (I play in an Army Band, and 80% of what we do right now is free performances requested by and played for Koreans.)

Your question kind of requires a two-part answer.

1. Do South Koreans REALLY want us out?

While many do want us out, the vast majority of older citizens want is IN. It is just like in America... the liberal new generation doesn't know what the older generation had to go through, hence they don't know first-hand why they should be thankful for the U.S. Military. The older Koreans are still very greatful. But, while most anti-U.S. Koreans are younger, that does NOT mean that most young Koreans do not want us there. It is a fairly split issue, and if not for an unfortunate incident in 2002, the anti-U.S. sentiment would not be nearly as strong. (In 2002, communication equipment between the tank driver and the spotter malfunctioned, directly resulting in the deaths of two Korean girls. The soldiers were not at fault, but many younger Koreans wanted them tried for murder in a classic Scapegoat situation.) I have also noticed, from personal experience, that we are still very appreciated by much more than those who do not like us.

2. Why are we still in Seoul and the DMZ?

That is because we are in the middle of a transition. The eventual goal of many current troop movements is for the U.S. to almost entirely, if not completely, pull out of the DMZ and Seoul, both. An entire division stationed in Area I (the area closest to North Korea) is slated to be deactivated in a few years. During this transition, troops and camps will consolidate even further. (There has already been MUCH of this in the past decade.)

The plan is for the bulk of our presence to be stationed just outside Seoul.

In 2004 (plus or minus a year or two) the Republic of Korea and the United States inked the above plan- the only reason it isn't very visible to you is because it is a gradual plan, purposefully scheduled over the course of several years.

Answer 3

The attitude of South Korea I'm used to is that the youth wanted us out but the older generation still wanted us to stay.
Another valid point is the US doesn't want another Iran; we trained and supplied the South Koreans for the past thirty years, if we up and leave who know how they'll use it.

Also, you have to think of global reach, if North Korea or any other Asian countries become our enemy we would want prepared bases to launch from. It's the same reason we still have bases in Japan and Germany and all over the world. Global reach is one of the main keys in victory

Answer 4

Oh please, the American presence in South Korea is tiny, compared to the threat. It would be overwhelmed and utterly destroyed in a day or so, IT is the threat of the response, that keeps the peace whenever Jr. Kim gets to feeling nutty.

And it wasn't just the unfortunate tank accident, there were also quite a few rapes and a few murders over the years. In the end no nation wishes to see foreign soldiers walking about, even if they are your only hope for freedom.

Answer 5

Because the Korean conflict never ended. They have just been under a prolonged cease fire. We remain at the South Korean Governments request because they know that as soon as we leave, North Korea will pour across the DMZ.

Answer 6

Barracks as far as I know depends on ranking what kind you get and how big etc... south korea huh? Nice least they ain't somewhere ELSE won't mention where but yeah no roomates I wouldn't think depends but its usually a small room

Answer 7

The U.S. armed forces still in South Korea for one reason, and that is both North and South Korea are at a cease fire that has lasted for 50 years. So technically the war is not over.

Answer 8

North Korea is considered a dangerous state and threat to world security... Probably the US wants to keep a close watch.

Answer 9

short and sweet...it's all political. while the younger generation somewhat doesnt understand or care too, we are there to protect the freedom,liberity, and the people of korea. we could have left, but it looks better when the show of force is there and not thousands of miles away

Answer 10

I'd rather South Korea deal with their own problems too.