South Korean President Moon Jae-in restated a call Wednesday for the declaration of an end to the Korean War, saying it would pave the way for complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula, as he took part in the annual United Nations General Assembly session
(en.yna.co.kr)
CHOOSE GREATNESS
Unfortunately, I doubt this is as good of news as we'd like to believe.
I lived in Korea for 4 years, and I was pretty unhappy with Moon's actions regarding the USA and China. He's kept his economy dependent and yoked to the Chinese Yuan, and has been lukewarm with his cooperation with the USA (compare SK to Japan, for instance).
I'm sure whatever deal SK will push for involves American troops out of SK, which pleases China for sure.
I'm not sure of Moon's angle. I suspect he wants to be known as the great unifier, and I suspect the CCP is dangling that in front of him. But I don't trust him.
He won’t be seen as a great unifier, he will be seen by Koreans abroad as the Great Sellout
Yes, "let's end the war" coming from the south isn't anything new.
But we don't need American troops in SK if they reunify.
TBF, SK is in a very rough position. Their population is less than half of Japan's so the economy is much more dependent on exports than even Japan due to a small domestic market. SK is also much more vulnerable to China in a military sense by proxy from North Korea, geographic proximity, and less naval power than Japan. So it's much easier for Japan to tell China to fuck themselves and ally strongly with the USA.
I think Moon has no choice but to try to hedge his bets and play both sides.
As far as troops however, I think the USA should pull out of SK. SK has enough military might to fight off a North Korean invasion on their own.
NO, we can’t leave SK, they stand no chance against China otherwise.
I understand the need to get out of the ME, but China has become incredibly aggressive and imperialistic. We are needed in East and South East Asia to contain the Red Dragon.
Having an alliance does not equal having to station our troops there and immediately put them in harm's way, not to mention the costs involved.
Not to mention there's no real reason for China to attack SK. Attacking Taiwan (which China considers its territory) is one thing. Invading a sovereign nation that China itself recognizes would be something completely different.
Let's put it this way. We don't have troops in Taiwan. And yet China has not invaded, because the threat of the US assisting Taiwan militarily is enough deterrence. It'll be the same with SK.