• Spot Notes -- Chronological list of events at Kunsan or affected the lives of Kunsan personnel (with links to main articles) (Updated: As events occur)
  
• Community Affairs
• Quality of Life Issues - Facilities (Updated: January 2004)
  
  • Off-Base Issues: Prostitution and A-Town - Wolf Pack to combat prostitution -- an object lesson in futility -- and on-base rapes increase; A-town Off-limits -- the makings of a scandal. News blackout on anything dealing with sexual assaults. Selected issues of 2003 Wolf Pack Warrior deleted off the net -- and "Crime Watch" in weekly papers now squeaky clean after "moderating." Yahoo Board "Kunsan and A-town" has all archives going back two years deleted. (Updated: January 2004)
    

• Military Affairs (2003) -- USS Carl Vinson arrives in Pusan; Elmendorf F-15s at Osan; Marine FA-18s arrive at Kunsan in May; Low-key buildup; End of May return to normal. However, a Contingency Group formed at Anderson AFB, Guam. (Updated: 3 June 2003)
• Military Affairs (2004) -- Seoul Courts Rule Against USFK Land Use; Vehicle Registration Policy Change; Largest concern is the traffic accident problem as GIs sentenced to jail for drunk driving incidents and fatality. (Updated: 20 Feb 2004)
• Relocation of USFK Bases (2003) -- In March USF announces it will relocate off the DMZ and south of the Han River; Renegotiations of Restructuring of 50-year old alliance; U.S. to invest $11 billion in Korea defense; Korea forced to increase its Defense spending; Enmeshed and entangled, the ROK drags its feet and attempts to shift the financial burden to the USFK; U.S. playing hardball and negotiations hit major snag in September 2003. 15-17 Jan continuation of meetings on relocation and reduction in forces. The first bases Camp Greaves and Giant to be returned in Nov 2004 under the LPP instead of 2011. (Updated: 31 Dec 2003)
  
• Relocation of USFK Bases (2004) -- Future of the Alliance meeting in Jan a continuation of meetings on relocation and reduction in forces. Stumbling block remains the cost of move that ROK unwilling to foot. The first bases Camp Greaves and Giant to be returned in Nov 2004 under the LPP instead of 2011. Yongsan Hospital renovations continue, but will be turned over to ROK. All new construction on DMZ halted. (Updated: Weekly)
  
• Stryler/LAVIII: Our Opinion -- Details on the Stryker SBCT (3d Bde 2d ID) that will be replacing the 2d ID on the DMZ as part of a global repositioning strategy. Included are short sections on current USFK weapons systems that may augment the Stryker units in Korea after all the smoke has cleared. Stryker headed to Iraq in mid-October; US wants future forces to have a "regional" role; Stryker unit in Iraq in 2003 and blooded in Jan 2004. Stryker with its jerry-rigged LPG protection screens undergo the acid test of combat. Stryker in Iraq blooded in Jan 2004. (Updated: Weekly)
• Korea Continues to March to Its Own Drummer -- Korea upgrades its military and seeks technology transfer. However, Korea aims to control its own destiny. Korea now has OFFENSIVE missile capability. Its indigenous-designed fighter-trainer is ready for production and the KDX-II "stealth" destroyer has been launched. German-designed submarines are rolling out of shipyards and KM1A1 Korean Main Battle Tank is being produced in Korea. The next-generation fighter has been selected as the F-15K. The new Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer to go into production. Whether unrealistic or not, President Roh is seeking "self-reliance" for South Korea's defense by 2010. (Updated: 4 Sept 2003)
• Food for Thought: The Military Option in North Korea: -- Short comparison of a views on military parity: Korean versus U.S. view. (Posted: 26 April 2003)
  
• Food for Thought: The Mythical North Korean Threat: -- An article building a case for U.S. withdrawal from Korea. (Posted: 20 June 2003)
  

• Reviews of Books on Kunsan AB (Updated: 3 June 2003)
  
• Reference Sources/Links: -- Links to Pro-USFK/Anti-US sites and online Korean newspaper links. General, Military and USFK links. (Updated: 8 August 2003)

• Background
  
  • Subtopics -- Pro-American Demonstrations or really Anti-Sunshine Policy Demonstration? -- Anti-American Protests Waning? NO!!! -- Split in NGO Group Strategies and Shift to Pacifism -- America Responds -- Backlash of Anti-American Demonstrations -- Anti-American and the Generation Gap -- NGO Tactic to Boycott American Goods Backfires -- NGO-Initiated Polls Increasing and USFK Poll in response -- Roh wants to revise SOFA, but U.S. and MOJ Sees No Need -- Danger of Getting What they Want -- Considering the Improbable: What if the U.S. Leaves? -- OUR OPINION (Updated: 3 June 2003)
• Jan-Mar 2003
  -- Background: Major Protests stop on Dec 31, 2002 at the request of President-elect Roh. Signs of changing US-ROK relationship. Rumsfield says US will leave if not wanted. Plan to realign forces. Yongsan removal protests continue. Anti-Iraq war protests with anti-American barbs. 60-minutes blasts Korea while President Roh inaugurated. North restarts nuclear plant -- pro-US/Anti-North rally and pro-reunification rallies start. Anti-Iraq War protests explode.
  • Iraq War & Korean Perspective of Iraq War (Mar-Apr 2003) -- Iraq and Korea DAILY events with emphasis on anti-War -- but in reality a continuation of the anti-American protests of 2002. President Roh tells nation that he is forced to send non-combatant troops to Iraq in order to protect the nation -- i.e., U.S. blackmailed him. Roh then rewrites the text of his speech for English publications. Coverage is a day-by-day chronology of events simultaneously in Baghdad and Seoul. (Updated: 16 April 2003)
    
• Apr-Jun 2003 -- Anti-Iraq War protests continue. Troop to Iraq leads to violent demonstrations. Swift fall of Iraq brings out Pro-US/Anti-North demonstrations calling for Kim Jong-Il to be removed. Future of the ROK-US Alliance discussions start with ROK wanting to renegotiate everything that they had previously agreed on. Frustration with ROK grows. Student Protests against the U.S./USFK grow -- countered by the smaller pro-USFK/Anti-North rallies. Saemangeum Protests receives worldwide attention.
  
• Jul-Sep 2003 -- Anti-USFK/Reunification rallies blame the U.S. for everything. Puan protests take center stage of nuclear waste dump site at Wedo Island. Protests become violent. Student break-in at Rodriguez Range brings punishment from ROK -- after USFK demands punishment. Student/Reunification protests nationwide -- including Kunsan AB. ROK undergoes "Reunification Fever" with visit of North Korean athletes to Universiade games in Taegu.
  
• Oct-Dec 2003 -- Anti-War/Anti-Iraq Troop dispatch continues. Puan riots heat up. GI kills girl in car accident causes great concern for USFK.
  
• Jan-Mar 2004 -- Background of 2003 scandals/protest. FTA protests explode with farmers violence. ROK troop dispatch to Iraq turns violent from student protest. Anti-Japanese feelings resurface. Tokdo stamp controversy leads to prosecution of "Japanese collaborators" law. (Discussion of Korea's Class B & C war criminals.) Iraq troop deployment delayed AGAIN. President Roh impeachment motion passed leading to his removal from office. The process brings international ridicule to Korea politics. Matter sent to Constitutional Court for decision. Street protests of impeachment nationwide peaceful. The impeachment motion protests appears to be very broad based. Prime Minister Goh Kun takes over Presidential duties. Calls for calm -- with high marks for his ability to control the situation. Impeachment motion backfires on GNP/MDP parties as the Uri Party -- Roh's support party that appeared doomed in February -- suddenly looked as though it would capture the majority of seats in the April 15 elections. GNP/MDP parties scramble to replace party heads to survive. Analysis of party situation up to end of March.
  
• Apr-May 2004 -- USFK Gen Laporte goes before US Congress to defend USFK presence in Korea. Political parties start their campaigns leading up to the April 15 elections. Constitutional Court deliberates Roh Impeachment. "Taeguki" (Korean Flag) box office hit -- fear of rise of Korean nationalism and resultant anti-Americanism.

• North Korean Crisis Background and Reference Materials -- Background on events leading up to Nuclear Crisis; Materials from Selected Sources on Nuclear Crisis; OUR OPINION (Updated: 8 August 2003)
• For Your Information: North Korea-US Meeting: -- Special Report on Upcoming North Korea-China-US meeting and U.S./North Korean options with our comments. (Posted: 8 August 2003)

• Reformist Policy:
• Lack of Coordination within Government:
• Alienates Career Bureaucrats:
• Continuing Education Problems over NEIS:
• Attacks on the "Gangster" Press:
• Environmental Policy and Saemangeum Project:
• Nuclear Waste Dump Protest:
• Farmers Problems, Opening of the Rice Market and Surplus Rice:
• Chaebol and Business Reforms:
• Korea Under Attack for Dumping and Govt Subsidies:
• Korean Outlook Dims as Companies Leave Korea:
• Privatization Plans Put on a Hold:
• Financial Reform Turns into a Quagmire:
• Conciliatory Position to Union Strikes:
• 40-hour Work Week:
• Political Scandals:
• Political Harassment from GNP:
• Split-up of MDP:
• Autonomy: An Old Answer to New Problems -- Pass the Buck!:
• NIS and National Security Law:
• Exiled North Korean supporter, Song Du-yul, Returns:
• Peace and Prosperity Policy:
• Trusted U.S. Supporter during Iraq War?:
• NGO groups anti-Americanism and Opposition demonstrations:
• Roh Questions Removal of USFK:
• ROK-US Summit (May 14) Impacts:
• Can a Leopard Change its Spots?:
• Resurgence of Anti-Americanism:
• Resurgence of Anti-Japanese Protests:
• Radical Students Protest Roh:
• Roh's Falling Popularity starts in Third Month in Office:
• End of 2003: Roh's Leadership Vacuum:
• Roh Impeached: March 2004

NOTICE/DISCLAIMER: The content of this website is unofficial and the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of me or any of those linked from my site. Information presented is intended for entertainment purposes only. Links to other web pages are provided for convenience and do not, in any way, constitute an endorsement of the linked pages or any commercial or private issues or products presented there. None of this site has been endorsed by any governmental or military agency or Mickey Mouse.

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Copyright 2002 - Kalani O'Sullivan All Rights Reserved
email to:kalani@hanvit.com

Since 1 January 2002