I'm going to just quote you some things to let you know about what is happening in the news here. I'll indicate my own comments by italicizing...On Sunday morning, there was an incident inside the DMZ...
"Early Sunday morning, Pfc. Kim Dong-min, 22, threw a grenade inside his barracks where 25 of his comrades were sleeping and sprayed 44 rifle rounds, killing eight soldiers and injuring four others, investigators said.
Pfc. Kim said he had planned the incident in retaliation for being bullied and harassed by superiors, according the investigators.
Minister [of Defense] Yoon has since been under pressure to step down to take responsibility for the tragedy. The largest opposition Grand National Party (GNP) threatened to submit a motion calling for the resignation of Yoon for recent incidents resulting from what it sees as ``slack military discipline’’ and lapses in security along the DMZ. ...........
Pfc. Kim said he had planned the incident in retaliation for being bullied and harassed by superiors, according the investigators.
Minister [of Defense] Yoon has since been under pressure to step down to take responsibility for the tragedy. The largest opposition Grand National Party (GNP) threatened to submit a motion calling for the resignation of Yoon for recent incidents resulting from what it sees as ``slack military discipline’’ and lapses in security along the DMZ. ...........
But Yoon’s efforts have been marred by a string of disgraceful incidents, such as alleged human rights violations and a high-profile promotion scandal, as well as the discovery of breaches in wire border fences.
Last Friday, a North Korean soldier was found wandering near a South Korean border town, four days after he sneaked undetected across the mine-strewn DMZ, drawing concerns about security problems. "
Last Friday, a North Korean soldier was found wandering near a South Korean border town, four days after he sneaked undetected across the mine-strewn DMZ, drawing concerns about security problems. "
That was an article from The Korea Times today, telling about the Minister of Defense's resignation, prompted by these events.
Here are some reactions, also in the paper:
"Sunday’s shooting at an Army guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has influenced a change in opinion on those abandoning their Korean nationality to avoid compulsory military service...
``I have taken it for granted that every man has to serve in the Army,’’ a father of three sons wrote on the bulletin board of the Ministry of Defense Web site on June 20.
``But after the rampage, I feel very nervous about my sons. Maybe I should have had my wife give birth to them somewhere other than Korea,’’ he said.
Another Internet user criticized the ministry on the same site, saying, ``What kind of nut would be willing to send their sons to the Army, Marines or whatever, when the military experiences are full of dangers.’’
Among the 1,077 people who gave up Korean citizenship on May 6-23, just before the new nationality law took effect on May 24, 96.8 percent were male, indicating the main motivation was to avoid compulsory military service.
``Now I understand why there were so many people with dual citizenship rushing to the immigration bureau of the Justice Ministry to give up their Korean citizenship,’’ a mother whose 23-year-old son is serving in the Army near the DMZ, wrote on a different Web portal’s bulletin board. "
``But after the rampage, I feel very nervous about my sons. Maybe I should have had my wife give birth to them somewhere other than Korea,’’ he said.
Another Internet user criticized the ministry on the same site, saying, ``What kind of nut would be willing to send their sons to the Army, Marines or whatever, when the military experiences are full of dangers.’’
Among the 1,077 people who gave up Korean citizenship on May 6-23, just before the new nationality law took effect on May 24, 96.8 percent were male, indicating the main motivation was to avoid compulsory military service.
``Now I understand why there were so many people with dual citizenship rushing to the immigration bureau of the Justice Ministry to give up their Korean citizenship,’’ a mother whose 23-year-old son is serving in the Army near the DMZ, wrote on a different Web portal’s bulletin board. "
Ok, so this enlightens me to several things. First, every boy is expected to serve? That's news to me, but explains why there are so many ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air Force), ROCA (army), etc. walking around here. Secondly, the despicable treatment is, understandably, making them NOT want to serve. Lastly, and most disturbing...they are allowed to give up their citizenship, thus avoiding service...which simply puts more pressure on US, THE USA to guard and protect their interests from the North?!?! And, yet, they protest our presence here? No wonder they have been invaded and dominated so much throughout history.
Now, let me show you something else from the same edition...
"North Korea has ``no reason to hold even a single nuclear bomb’’ if the United States treats it in a friendly manner, the North’s chief delegate to the 15th round of inter-Korean ministerial talks said Wednesday....
North Korea also asked for additional food assistance on a humanitarian basis while expressing gratitude for the earlier shipments of rice and fertilizer aid....
In the 110-minute main session, the two sides also discussed ways to ease military tension along their heavily fortified border and reinvigorate various reconciliation projects, such as temporary reunions of separated families split apart by the 1950-53 Korean War....
Seoul also proposed a Red Cross meeting in July to discuss ways to locate South Korean prisoners of war (POWs) and some civilian abductees believed to still be in the North. The North’s delegates listened ``attentively’’ to the POW and abduction issues, the official said."
WHY would South Korea be willing to send much-needed aid to NK, when they are admittedly holding POWs and family members from SK?!?!? What kind of powder keg is my guy living in here? Please pray that the next 7 months of his stay here will not crescendo to a situation threatening him or our other boys here.
No comments:
Post a Comment