2003:

• January: Code One Article about Juvats: Nice article about Kunsan and the Juvats in the General Dynamics Code One magazine. (Go to Code One Article for the writeup.)

• January 10: Kunsan dug out from a heavy snowstorm. In recent years, heavy snowstorms have dumped large amounts of snow on Kunsan making the off-base roads treacherous and bringing out the snow plows on Kunsan AB.
  
  Left: Emart after Snow (Jan 2003)
  Right: Truck in Kunsan City piled with snow (Jan 2003)
  
  
• January 17: New 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron formed. Combined the Supply Squadron and Transportation Squadrons in the new AF reorganization.

• January 17: A new U.S. Korean Defense Service Medal will be issued for Korean service after 28 July 1953 announced in Wolf Pack Warrior. Issue date in future. (See Korean Defense Service Medal Approved (2002) for details.) Medal designed but as of Dec 2003, it still had not reached the field in Korea. (See for design details of medal.)
  
  Koren Defense Service Medal
  
  
• February: Pre-ORI exercises coupled with increasing tensions with North Korea leads the 8th FW to practice its war-fighting skills in earnest.

• March 4-April 2: Foal Eagle 03 -- Kunsan affected very little by its portions of the exercise. (See Exercises for details.)

• March 14: F-117A Stealth Fighters arrives at Kunsan -- USS Carl Vinson carrier group visits Pusan. Supposedly to join Foal Eagle Exercises, but in reality in response to increased threat from North Korea. (See F-117A Arrives at Kunsan for details.)

• March 19-26: RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration) exercise entailed some portions of the overall plan to be exercised at Kunsan. Impact to Kunsan minimal. (See RSOI and Foal Eagle Combined for details.)

• March 21: SrA Joseph Berberich, 8th Medical Support Squadron named 7th AF Airmen of the Year. Kim Chin-ae, 8th Civil Engineering Squadron named Civilian Employee of the Year (administrative and technical category).

• March 21: War in Iraq Starts -- War did not start with the media "shock and awe" hype, but with precision bombing targeting military targets. The Iraqi army simply dissolved with Republican and Praetorian guard threat never materializing. Protests in Korea increase. Seoul violent anti-War/anti-American protests, but Kunsan quiet. (See Korean Perspectives of War in Iraq for details.)
  
  Anti-War confrontation at National Assembly (02 Apr 03) (Source: Tongil News)

• March 28: SSgt Fenton Fukushima of the 8th AMXS named best F-4 Crew Chief under the ROK/USFK Combat Cross-Servicing Program.

• April 1: Col. Guy Dahlbeck selected for Brigadier General.

• April 3: Curfew rescinded. Curfew placed in effect with Iraq War start rescinded due to diminished threat. A-town bar owners rejoice. (See Curfews for details.)

• April 4: Deserter Court Martialled. Airman who deserted to the Philippines with his A-town girlfriend convicted. (See Deserter Found for details.)

• April 7-8: First Meeting of Future Alliance of the US-ROK. ROK refuse to discuss relocation of 2d ID, but did assume more responsibilities for defense along the DMZ. U.S. still wants to move up date for relocation from Yongsan and relocate the 2d ID from the DMZ south of the Han River. (See Relocations of USFK for details.)

• April 7-11: Kunsan Operational Readiness Inspection. ORI judges the capability of 7th AF taskings. Passed with flying colors. (See Exercises for details. See Wolf Pack Warrior for photos of the ORI.)

• April 10: Baghdad falls. North Korea silent as it mulls that it is next. Anti-War/Anti-American protests continue in Seoul. Kunsan quiet. (See Korean Perspectives of War in Iraq for details.)

• April 10: President Roh U.S. Itinerary Announced: President Roh Moo-hyun will make a seven-day visit to the United States from May 11 through May 17 for talks with President George W. Bush. (Go to Roh Moo-hyun for full details.)

• April 13: North Korea Blinks: In a significant shift, North Korea said it would consider any form of dialogue with the United States if Washington made a ''bold switchover'' in its policy toward the reclusive Communist state. The North's announcement could herald a breakthrough in the six-month impasse over its suspected nuclear weapons program just days after U.S.-led forces removed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power in a war the South Korean president said had ''petrified'' Pyongyang.
  
  Washington has long maintained that the North Korea nuclear problem must be resolved in a multilateral way that includes regional players South Korea, Japan, Russia and China. In a statement, the State Department said it "noted the statement with interest" and would "follow up through appropriate diplomatic channels." But privately, officials viewed the shift as vindication of the tough line the administration has taken on dealing with the DPRK. "It looks like President Bush was smarter than everyone said he was," a senior administration official in Washington said, ticking off the names of former Clinton administration officials who had scorned the Bush administration's refusal to talk directly with the DPRK. (Go to North Korean Crisis (2003) for full details.)

• April 17: Military Phase of War in Iraq Over -- War starts to wind down with scattered pockets of resistance. Major problem in restoring basic services to Baghdad. Korea goes off anti-terrorist footing. Anti-War protests dead, but Unification demonstrations take their place. (See Korean Perspectives of War in Iraq for details.) It would not be until 1 May that President Bush "semi-officially" announced the war was over.

• April 20: NEO Adequacy Questioned -- A retired Lt Col questioned the adequacy of the NEO evacuation from Seoul, but the USFK mumbles about its plans and tests -- done over a period of a week in peacetime. Article includes NEO tips. (See NEO Questioned for details.) (NOTE: We also question the NEO. We say try it in a surprise attack with Scuds and artillery shells falling all around. Throw in incapacitating gas and then talk about adequacy. There will be a massive gridlock. Check out Oplan 5027 for the scenario.)

• April 23-25: U.S.-North Korea-China Meeting in China -- A Disaster: High-ranking diplomats from the US, the PRC and the DPRK met at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing for talks aimed at resolving concerns over the North's nuclear development efforts. North ADMITTED they had nuclear weapons -- and supposedly conveyed a threat of either use or export. Meeting ended ambiguously with North-US recriminations. In Late May, North Korea agreed to multi-national talks AFTER the tri-national talks between China-DPRK-U.S. (See For Your Information: North Korea-US Meeting: for U.S.-North Korean options/strategies in the meetings.)
  
  However, the talks were notable for the absence of Japan and the ROK. North Korea insisted that the three-way format was the only option it would accept. To appease the South, the North later extended an invitation for a 10th ministerial level talk with South Korea of April 27-28 to appease the South. This was later postponed because of the nuclear standoff.

• April 25: USFK Announces Plans to Relocate. USFK announced its plans to relocate to Osan and Taegu/Pusan. (See Relocations of USFK for details.) U.S. pushing for relocation of 2d ID from the DMZ to positions south of the Han. U.S. position is that relocation not dependent on nuclear issue outcomes. Second Meeting postponed as Relocation elevated to the Bush-Kim Presidential summit. After the Summit, the Ministry of Defense admitted that relocation would take place, but started to delay on negotiations. The second meeting to be held in late May (after the Roh-Bush summit) shelved until Korea could figure out a new strategy. Korea seeking a return to the status quo, but the U.S. is bound and determined to proceed with relocation.

• April 30: USFK Hands Over Licensing & Traffic Violations to ROK: Beginning in August, the ROK will handle traffic tickets and licensing. (See USFK Traffic for details.)

• May 2: Wolf Pack Tightens Screws on A-town to Combat Prostitution:. An article in the 2 May Wolf Pack Warrior stated: "As military members representing the United States abroad, it is important to be aware of these issues, their negative human effects, and what can be done to help eliminate the problem." The Town patrol and AFOSI monitor "off-base districts like American Town to determine if establishments are supporting illegal activities. When establishments are determined to be involved in these activites, they will be placed off-limits." (See Off-base Issues: A-Town and Prostitution for details.)
  
  A-town
• May 2: James Boogaard, 8th Services Squadron Loring Club assistant manager, was recently named the Pacific Air Forces Services civilian supervisor of the year. Boogaard has been at Kunsan for 13 months and will compete at Air Force level.

• May 2: Loring Club Best Collocated Club in PACAF (2003): The Loring Club serves over 1000 people per week with food and entertainment programs geared for the members. Last year the club invested in a $265,000 audio-visual system including big screen TV and disk-jockey system.

• May 11-17: President Roh Visits U.S.: President Roh Moo-hyun made a seven-day visit to the U.S. from May 11 through May 17. He met with President Bush on the bilateral military alliance and the North Korean nuclear issue on May 15. Roh toured New York, Washington D.C. and then San Francisco, meeting American politicians and financial leaders. Korean business leaders received a luke-warm reception.
  
  
  President Roh and President Bush
  
  Upon his return, Roh changed his stance about supporting the U.S. position on North Korea. Reaction from his student supporters was rage as they claimed he had engaged in "humiliation diplomacy." The inter-Korean economic talks immediately after the summit nearly stalled as the ROK stated that future aid would be tied to nuclear negotiations, but rice aid was given to North. (Go to Roh Moo-hyun for full details.)

• May 14: Col. Robin Rand becomes new Wolf: In ceremonies officiated by Lt Gen Lance Smith, Col. Rand took command of the 8th FW.

• Mid-May: Low-key military buildup continues: B-52/B-1 bombers of 7th AEW remain in Guam. F-16s and WC-130H deployed to support 7th AEW. USS Kitty Hawk carrier group returns to Yokosuka on May 6 from Persian Gulf, but enters Yard for repairs on May 12. USS Carl Vinson carrier group returns to Yokosuka -- while the Kitty Hawk undergoes "repairs." 2 nuclear submarines from Guam in area. F-117As remain at Kunsan and F-15s remain at Osan. RC-135S continues surveillance and starts night observations. E-3A AWACS commits three aircraft from 24-hour cover escorted by 2 F-15s. Marine FA-18s arrive at Kunsan. Kunsan aircraft (USAF & Marine) start flying night missions. The night missions ended near the end of May. On 22 May a Marine battalion (more than 600 Marines) stationed in Okinawa were transported to the Korean Peninsula as part of an exercise designed to move the force rapidly by high speed vessel from Okinawa to Pohang in less than 24 hours. This was the first to use the high speed vessel, which cut the time needed for deployment -- up to three days by amphibious vessels -- to less than half of that. They will remain for training exercise from May17-Jun 18. (See Low-key Buildup for details.)
  
  
• May 27: US to Bolster Forces in Korea: On 27 May, the U.S. conveyed a plan to Korea to preposition assets for a heavy brigade where it would be stored on transport vessels. The equipment would comprise 130 tanks and infantry fighting vehicles and 110 other vehicles, along with supplies and ammunition. In addition, the Patriots were bolstered by 16 PAC-3 Patriot missiles. A new runway at Osan is proposed. The 2nd ID would become a lighter and mobile SBCT (Stryker Brigade Combat Team). (See U.S. to Bolster Forces for article.) The first step for troop relocations will be the movement of some 7,000 personnel from Yongsan to Osan/Pyongtaek announced on 2 June. 1,000 remain at Yongsan for Combined Command headquarters.

• May 25: North Korea Talks On Again -- Maybe: Though the South continues with its "Peace and Prosperity Policy" with North Korea, there was a caveat that future aid would be tied to nuclear crisis resolution. The U.S. and Japan agreed to possible sanctions against North Korea in their May summit thus tightening the noose around North Kroea. In response, North Korea said it would comply with the U.S. demand for multilateral talks, but ONLY IF the two countries hold bilateral talks first. This is something the U.S. has repeatedly refused to do. Instead, a new round of tri-lateral talks with China, North Korea and U.S. to proposed for June by China and the U.S. In the end, the talks were off-again and China applied pressure to North Korea. Japan amends their "peace" constitution to include war-time contingencies powers -- a possible prelude to "militarizing" the "peace" constitution. U.S. calls off military buildup on May 28. North Korean false start AGAIN. (See North Korea Crisis for details.)

• May 25: Saemangum Tidal Reclamation Project Protest The protest against the Saemangeum tideland reclamation project in Chollabukdo (North Jeolla Province) reached its climax as the sensational "three steps, one bow" procession led by a group of clergymen reached Seoul 57 days after they departed Buan 300 kilometers to the south. (See REAL AUDIO VIDEO for video of the march.) After being halted for two years by the courts, the government of Kim Dae-jung arbitrarily restarted it last year. President Roh opted to continue with Kim Dae-jung's environmental policy that directly affects the land areas around Kunsan-Changhang-Puan. (NOTE: Kunsan AB's perimeter is affected by the Saemangum Project and was signed off on over three years ago by the 8th FW Commander.) (Go to Roh Moo-hyun: Environmental Policy and Saemangeum Project for details. See Saemangeum Protest for photos.)

• June 5-6: Second Meeting of Future Alliance of the US-ROK. The two sides focus on the follow-up measures for the points articulated in the joint communiqué drawn up at the recent Korea-U.S. summit, including the repositioning of U.S. troops and relocation plan for the Yongsan Garrison. (See Relocations of USFK for details.)

• May 28: Memorial Day: Break in Tension 7th AF grants an extra day off (May 29) for the three-day Memorial Day weekend. The 7th Air Expeditionary Wing with deployed B-1 and B-52s return home from Guam. Deployed WC-130Hs and F-16s at Guam return home. Low-key buildup terminated. (See Low-key Buildup for details.)

• May 28-30: Seosan AB: Buddy Wing Two ROKAF F-16s from the 120th FS and maintainers practiced close air support (CAS) -- though weather cancelled the air interdiction training -- with the 35th FS for two days.

• Jun 20: Korean-American Friendship Award Capt. Ross Whitmore, 8th Medical Support Squadron, received the Korean-American Friendship award for his volunteer work in the local community -- especially efforts to teach English in local schools.

• Jul 1: COLA for USFK For first time in 50 years, COLA authorized for all in Korea. Started in June, the pay reflected in 1 July paycheck.

• Jul 3-6: 4th of July July 3 designated downday by 7th AF. Kunsan schedules 4th of July Parade with floats and a block party on 4 July. Wayne Newton USO show on 5 July and movie marathon. (See USO Show for writeup on Wayne Newton USO Show.)

• Jul 27: 50th Anniversary of Armistice Ceremonies held at Yongsan and Panmunjon. (See 50th Anniversary of Armistice for photos of ceremony.)

• Jul 27: A-town Off Limits A violent incident in A-town places the town off-limits. Conflicting stories of incident. Off-limits partially lifted for A-town on 6 Aug -- and modified on 8 Aug. (See Off-base Issues: A-town and Prostitution for details.)
  
  
  A-town
  
  
• Aug 1: Six-way Talks with North Korea DPRKdropped its demand for one-on-one negotiations with the US and directly notified key regional players that it was ready to meet them in six-way nuclear crisis talks with the ROK, Japan, the US, Russia and the PRC. The latest move triggered optimism that a breakthrough in the nine-month nuclear stand-off was at hand. DPRK immediately started angling about for the same demands as before -- one-on-one talks within the six-way talks and a non-agression pact. (See North Korea Crisis for details.)
  
  
• Aug 1: Unification activist group blame US for Korea Division Unification groups blame the USFK for keeping the Koreas divided and following the North Korean line assume that the USFK is preparing for a preemptive strike. Its protests center on Yongsan. Large demonstrations expected on Aug 15 -- Independence Day. (See Unification Warms Up at Yongsan for details.)
  
  
• Aug 7-8: Hanchongnyeon Targets USFK Outlawed Hanchongnyeon student organization targeted U.S. forces nationwide. Students threw paint at Corps of Engineers compound near Yongsan. 120 students protest at Rodriquez Live Fire Range where a Stryker platoon was exercising. 12 students broke into range. USFK demanded students be punished to maximum extent of KOREAN LAW for this incident. 200 students marched on Camp Humpherys at Pyongtaek. Protests at other bases/camps throughout nation. (See Hanchongnyeon Protests Nationwide for details.) The Korea National Police declared on 9 Aug that student protesters had crossed the line in anti-U.S. demonstrations and warned they would crack down on illegal and violent rallies. The NPA decided to bolster security near U.S. military installations and local political party headquarters as well as have all police forces ready to counter unexpected demonstrations.
  
  
• Aug 9: Unification Protest at Kunsan AB About 100 Unification protestors gathered at the Main Gate to hold a peaceful protest demanding the U.S. go home. (See Protest at Kunsan AB (9 Aug 03) for photos.)
  
  
  Base Protest
  
  
• Aug 15: Liberation Day Protests The much feared anti-American demonstrations did not erupt as planned. The anti-American demonstrations were very muted. Though the anti-American rhetoric and songs were present, the atmosphere was more of students having a good time. Instead, the pro-USFK/anti-North demonstrations that were held in Seoul at the same time to offset the anti-American protests caused the biggest stir. (See Protests: August 2003 for details.) The North said it was pulling out of the Universiade scheduled for Aug 22 because South Korea was "not a safe place" for its athletes. After President Roh bent over and issued an unprecedented statement of "regret for the North Korean flag burnings," the North happily attended the Universiade. (See Universiade: August 2003 for details.)
  
  
• Aug 26: Nuclear Dump Site Controversy in Puan Escalates Wedo Island was chosen as the Korean nuclear dump site under dubious circumstances -- without the approval of the Puan population. The government announced its decision on 15 July and the protests started with televised debates. Then it increased to protests in the streets of Puan. After that the roads to the popular beaches were blocked. Offshore fishing boat blockades and more Puan protests. Finally 3000 activists and residents armed with steel pipes protested in Chonju at the Provincial Capital and 2 police vans were burned. At the end of August, the residents are resorting to school boycotts, candlelight vigils and protests at government buildings. (See Nuclear Dump Site Protests for details.)
  
  
• Aug 27-29: Six-way Talks with North Korea Mood pesimistic as the six-way talks were to open as the North reissued its demands for a non-aggression pact. At the start there was some optimism, but it soon faded. The U.S.-DPRK held a 75-minute "unofficial" meeting after the first day was over, but nothing substantive came out of it. The Japanese held a one-on-one dialogue with the DPRK on the abduction issue and agreed to continue the talks. The South Koreans held ministerial level talks at the same time and agreed to expanding economic ties. The U.S. held to its position stating basically that the North cannot be trusted in its word. The North continued to muddy the waters by first denying it had any nuclear weapons, then admitting before the multilateral members that it did possess nuclear weapons, then threatening to test the weapons in "self-defense." Military exercises on concurrently with a joint Russia, US, ROK and Japan naval exercise. In addition, the US is conducting a multi-national sea interdiction exercise also during the meeting. The message was plain to the North that the military option was still on the table and actions to consider sanctions to isolate it are progressing. In retaliation, the North stated it would test its nuclear weapons as "proof" that it had the weapons. The talks were a disappointment because the North and U.S. refused to budge on their positions. Though the North did not indicate willingness to assume further multilateral talks, there was guarded optimism that the North would join future talks. (See North Korea Crisis for details.)
  
  
• Sept 9: 35th FS aircraft Crash Aircraft crashed on a routine mission 56 miles south-west of Kunsan. Pilot rescued. (Go to 35th FS Aircraft Crash for details)
  
  
• Sept 13: Typhoon Maemi During the Chusok weekend (Sep 10-13) the typhoon devasted the east coast with 123 dead. However, Kunsan escaped any damage being on the west coast.
  
  
• Sept 16: PAC-3 Patriots Deployed in Korea PAC-3 deployment to Korea complete for Osan, Suwon and Kunsan. Actually the Patriots have been in Korea since July, but the announcement was made only after the batteries were all certified on the new systems. (Go to PAC-3 Deployed in Korea for details) (See 143rd ADA/6th Cavalry "Blackhorse" (Apr 94 - Present) for the details on the Kunsan unit.)
  
  
• Sept 27: B/G Robin Olds Visits Kunsan The legendary Robin Olds of the original Wolfpack visited Kunsan AB for the formal wing dining in. As the keynote speaker, he was viewed in awe by current members of the Wolf Pack as a "living legend." He met with officers and NCOs of the Wolf Pack during his visit. (NOTE: Kalani O'Sullivan, a former member of the Wolf Pack from Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand as well as the "Kun" in the late 80's, agrees fully with what Gen Olds said: "...Many things have changed in today's Air Force from when I was in, but importance in pride in self and unit still remain the same.") (See Legendary fighter ace inspires young troops during Kunsan visit for details of visit.) (See 1965-1974: 8th TFW for the 8th TFW at Ubon Ratchatani RTAFB.)
  
  
• Sept 26: Ancient ship discovered off the coast of Kunsan -- Remains of a ship dating from the Koryo period (11th Century) was discovered off the coast of Kunsan. The ships cargo of celadon pottery is being recovered. (See Ancient ship for article.)
  
  
• Oct 30: ROK Al Qaeda Ship Tip This is just an interesting side note about news reporting dealing with Kunsan. Reuters (Lee Jae-won, "SOUTH KOREA SAYS IT RECEIVED AL QAEDA SHIP TIP," Kunsan, 10/30/03) reported that the ROK said on 30 Oct it had been tipped off that a cargo ship heading for one of its major ports could be carrying members of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda group. On 29 Oct, the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper quoted unidentified military sources as saying the US military had tipped ROK officials about the ship. Officials said it was to reach Kunsan on 30 Oct with its timber cargo and stay for a week or 10 days. "It is true that the authorities received a tip about possible al Qaeda members, and we're prepared just in case," a spokesman for the National Intelligence Service told Reuters. He declined to comment on what measures were being taken and did not say where the tip-off came from. Police barred reporters from entering the port. A police patrol boat could be seen cruising round the harbor. Police declined to comment on the outcome of a meeting held on Thursday to discuss the ship. But a senior official at the Kunsan port authority said by telephone the case had been under investigation for three days. "We have been investigating the ship on the suspicion that members of al Qaeda may try to enter South Korea but we couldn't find any evidence to prove the suspicion," the official said.
  
  
• November: Al Qaeda Issues Warning to Korea and Japan of Attacks Threats were issued to Korea and Japan that they would face terrorist attacks if they sent troops to Iraq. Subsequently, two Koreans were killed in Iraq in terrorist attacks in November. Korea on heightened alert.
  
  On 15 Dec Chosun Ilbo reported that Al-Qaeda operatives visited Korea according to a National Information Service (NIS) report. Supposedly members of a Southeast Asian terrorist organization with ties to Al-Qaeda recently infiltrated Korea, surveyed the security system at airports and U.S. military installations and left the country. The NIS said that this year a Pakistani man named Mohammed came to Seoul from Manila and examined airport security. The man is said to be a member of an organization associated with Al-Qaeda that is active in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. The NIS also reported that a man known as Omar, presumably from Kenya, has come to Korea two or three times since 1999. Staying for a few days, he studied the security situation around U.S. Army bases and then left the country. The man is presumed to be connected with the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. Infiltration attempts by members of Al-Qaeda are growing more frequent, with some being caught be immigration and expelled from the country within 10 hours.
  
  According to Yonhap News, the NIS said that one al-Qaeda agent responsible for the 1998 bombing of the U.S. embassy in Kenya had stayed briefly in South Korea. The NIS said the agent was forced to leave the country after illegally working for a small manufacturer north of Seoul for six months until March 1998.
  
  The NIS reported that Al-Qaeda's and its associated groups' sphere of operations is slowly moving from the Middle East and Southeast Asia to Northeast Asia, and that that the possibility of terrorist attacks on U.S. allies such as South Korea and Japan is increasing.
  
  On 17 Dec the LA Times reported that a classified NIS report the agency also suspected that one or two ROK citizens might have assisted the suspected terrorists.
  
  
  Autumn in Korea

• November 15: Anti-Troop Dispatch/SCM Protests Protests closed the gates of Kunsan over the anti-troop dispatch as part of a nationwide protest by anti-war NGO groups. Approximately 150 demonstrators peacefully protested the troop dispatch as well as the upcoming SCM talks. During the talks, the ROK attemtpted to tie the ROK troop movement to the USFK troop relocations. The SCM talks ended with no progress -- except with the USFK resolve to either get requested land at Yongsan or to leave Seoul completely. The protests over the anti-troop dispatch continued into December with President Roh waffling and limiting the number to 3,000 NONCOMBATANT troops in a non-offensive role. After Saddam Hussein was caught on 13 Dec, the ROK suddenly decided to join the coalition on 17 Dec with 3000 ROK combatant/non-combatant troops who would be self-supporting. The act was seen by many as an effort to protect their share of the reconstruction contracts, especially when President Bush stated on 15 Dec that only "friends" of the coalition should share in the reconstruction bonanza. (See Protests: December.)
  
  
• November 17: Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held. Results ambiguous at best. Tone set by both sides refusing to sign a joint communique on the meeting. See Military Affairs: November. USFK attempts to put "happy faces" on meeting, but word is out internationally that the U.S. will unilaterally restructure its forces. At first, the USFK stated that the reports were "in error," but soon President Bush announced that the U.S. would restructure its forces globally. The question only deals with WHEN. At the end of November, it appeared that the U.S. was disgusted with the ROK's delays, denials, attempts to renegotiate everything and will completely move the CFC from Yongsan to Pyongtaek. Again the question is WHEN. ROK is saying in 2006, but the USFK has been silent. Though the USFK continues its "Good Neighbor" program with the public, the officialdom relationships are strained at best. Impacts to Kunsan are unknown at present, but as operations move south, expect more responsibilities to move south as well.

Kunsan AB Civic Actions

Community Affairs: USFK Good Neighbor Program In February there was a visit to a local elementary school on Valentine's day but it was more as a photo opportunity than a substantive project. These types of projects are expected to show an increase as the USFK has started a "Good Neighbor Program" in February to improve relations between the bases/camps and the local community. The 'Good Neighbor Program,' aims to eliminate misunderstanding and ease the tension between USFK and its host country. (See USFK Video on Good Neighbor Program.)

The program was supposed to transform the USFK website to a bilingual site and mandate a local hotline at major camps/bases to handle local complaints. Little was heard of this idea until it was finally set up. It is a long-overdue Korean-language Web site that can be used to tell the USFK side of the story. The Web sites' address is as follows: http://www.usfk.or.kr/kr/index.html. It is in both Hangul and English.

Kunsan's involvement in the Good Neighbor Program is spelled out at Pubfiles: Good Neighbor Program (16 May 2003).

Within the USFK community Korea-wide there has been an increase in the recognition programs for civilians with special recognition luncheons. Korea-wide there have been Civilian recognition awards to publicize this effort. The comment from a Korean worker after the luncheon to recognize the Korean civilians at Kunsan was that this was the first time it had been held. This leads one to wonder what was done before for the civilians ... and was this seen as just another meaningless photo-op for the commanders by the Koreans being honored. Some of the younger Korean workers on base voice privately that they don't wish to be recognized for fear that if the USFK pulls out, they would be subject to reprisals as the "pets" of the establishment. As ridiculous as this may seem, it is a reasonable fear because of the current situation with the animosity of the Korean younger generation towards the U.S. military.

Under the Adopt-a-School program, volunteers also continue to assist in teaching conversational English to Koreans in area schools. Unfortunately, the contributions are spotty as military commitments interfere. Most are one-time visits to the schools. However, there has been community involvement on base such as the Okbong Elementary School performances of the fan dance at the Asian Pacific Week outing at the base pool. For Easter, volunteers at Kunsan AB visited the elementary school just off-base in Okku to show the kids how to color Easter eggs. Again these were mainly photo opportunities. However, despite these spotty visits, they go a long way to promoting goodwill and understanding among Koreans and Americans.

Under the Adopt an Orphanage program, units may support the Kae Chong Orphanage, Baby Moses Orphanage, Ku Se Kun Children's Home, and Samsung Orphanage. The base volunteers have continued in their support of the Kae Chong Orphanage with visits and sponsoring of trips for the orphans along with Wolf Pack members. In the fall the Kunsan volunteers took the orphans up to Osan for the airshow -- which unfortunately was cancelled. These volunteers have created a positive image of the Air Base amongst the populace. The donations collected by the base to support the orphanage has continued over the years and again events such as Christmas parties brighten the lives of the orphans. Other orphanages have been supported by the base through building projects or simply spending time with the children. (See below for refrigerators donated to Baby Moses orphanage.) These visits create a lot of good will amongst the orphanages, but truthfully has limited impact on community relations. Remember that Korea provides the majority of orphans to the U.S. -- a point of embarassment. The orphan problem is something that Koreans feel embarrassed about and one that Koreans really don't want to look at critically. Even today, retarded children and unwanted babies/children are found dumped at train and bus stations for the authorities to place in institutions. Though this program makes the people on base feel good in their participation and is noteworthy for its humanitarian efforts, it has been of limited impact at the ground level -- simply because the Koreans don't really want to be reminded of the orphan problem.

The base has also started a Wolf-Tiger Exchange to teach conversational English to the ROKAF and promote good-will. Our only comment is, "Why is this program starting now when the ROKAF has been on the base since 1953?" We remember when the ROKAF personnel on base had to go to private conversational English academies downtown to obtain instruction. This is much the "sister wing" program of the base. There were attempts for the past decade from the ROKAF side to establish a "sister wing" project, but the base has always been reluctant to get involved. Only within the past two years has there been action.

Since January 2002, the city of Tongduchon and Uijongbu have tried to put on a positive face and put on special programs for the military. Business leaders have also visited the bases and attempted to present themselves as supporters of the military. However, the USFK is really doing its best to On 25 May the 2d ID held an open house "Good Neighbor Day" in Tongduchon to improve relations with the local community.

No, It's Not a Farewell Party

by Kim Jun (kjoon@chosun.com)

The 2nd Infantry Division of the USFK will express its appreciation to the local community on Saturday by staging performances and welcoming Koreans to visit the base. The Good Neighbor Day festival at the division's headquarters at Camp Mobile in Dongducheon, in Gyeonggi province and about 20 kilometers northeast of Seoul, will last from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The GIs have prepared a marching band performance and taekwondo demonstration for their Korean guests, and will proudly display their modern firearms and equipment, such as Apache helicopters, M1 tanks and Bradley armored vehicles. Visitors can get a hands-on experience around the equipment with detailed explanations. The event is designed to strengthen ties with local residents and to promote mutual understanding for the Korea-U.S. alliance. While civilians are normally restricted from entering the camp, the base will be completely open for the day like a park. The USFK also has designated May as Good Neighbor Month, and opened up some military facilities to locals and held sports and cultural events. For more information, call (031) 870-8877.

2d ID Good Neighbor Open House in Tongduchon (25 May 03)

On June 3 the Korean government announced plans to form a consultative committee aimed at improving the conditions in which U.S. troops of the 2nd Infantry Division are stationed here. The committee was to be chaired by Lee Young-tak, head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and would be comprised of officials from a number of ministries including defense and foreign affairs and will review various laws after listening to the opinions and complaints of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). However, this can reasonably be viewed as a last minute move to retain the 2nd ID on the DMZ. Unfortunately, it is a move that is too little and much too late. The transparency of this action AFTER the USFK announced its intention to proceed with the relocation and replacement of the 2d ID with a Stryker Brigade Combat Team to be located south of the Han. This brigade will most likely be the 3rd Brigade, 2d ID which finished its final certification between May 17-21.

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Orphanage Support: Kunsan airmen continued to support the Kae Chong Orphanage as they have done for the past fifty years. Airmen spend some time on Thursday nights with about 40 orphans.

On 22 April Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, 7th AF Commander, along with Col. Guy Dahlbeck, 8th FW Commander, formally presented two refrigerators and a room air conditioner purchased by the Air warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF). The AWCF contacted Smith to see if there were any organizations in South Korea in need of supplies or financial assistance. A committee was formed to help identify the local organizations and then the AWCF picked whichones they wanted to support. Due to limited military space available airlift, the foundation was unable to ship the supplies, but still wanted ot support the request from the Kunsan orphanage for new refrigerators.

The Moses Children's facility was founded in 1957 as a private facility. It is now mostly funded by the Korean Government and is currently home to 40 children ranging in age from newborn to four. The time Wolf Pack members spend improving their facility and playing with the children is greatly appreciated. "People from the base have been coming here for 20 years and they have always been a great help," Jeon said. "I can tell that they are doing it from the bottom of their hearts," she added.

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Airmen Donate Blood: Kunsan AB contributes in other ways to the Korean community.

Airmen donate blood to Korean child

Jan. 9, 2003
By 1st Lt. Heather Healy
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Two airmen with the rare blood type AB negative traveled to Jesus Hospital, Chonju, Korea, Dec. 28 to donate their blood to a newborn baby girl in need of a blood transfusion.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Jundt and Airman 1st Class Daniel Crane, both members of the 8th Maintenance Group, were contacted because a Korean newborn baby girl needed a blood transfusion, and she need it immediately.

"I was sleeping when I got a knock on my door," said Crane, who has known of his rare blood type all his life. “They said they were wondering if I would donate blood to a little baby in Chonju.” Both Crane and Jundt volunteered without hesitation and traveled together to the hospital where they each donated a pint of blood.

“I think most anybody, if they had been asked to do this, would have done it,” Jundt said. “I was a little nervous and didn't know what to expect, but it went really well. I can't say enough good things about the Korean people who worked down at the hospital. They treated us very well. They were really appreciative.” The blood donation was life saving, according to Dr. Sung Kwan Park, a kidney doctor at the hospital. Both Park and his wife, Dr. Oh Kyung Lee, who works with premature babies and is the primary physician overseeing the care of the baby girl, were very appreciative.

The little girl was very sick, said Park, and if a blood transfusion did not occur in a timely manner, she risked losing her life or suffering permanent neurological complications.

Maj. Steve Vreeke, 8th Fighter Wing flight surgeon, along with members of the 8th Medical Group, coordinated the life-saving efforts.

“The newborn daughter was having a hemolytic response due to blood Rh incompatibility,” Vreeke said, which means the mother's blood had antibodies that were destroying the baby's blood.

“The newborn needed a transfusion with AB negative blood. However, this blood type is very rare in South Korea, around one in one million. Among Americans this blood type is more common, about one in every two hundred,” Vreeke said.

After a review of medical records, Vreeke and his staff determined there were four Wolf Pack members with the AB negative blood. However, two of the members were unavailable.

Fortunately Jundt and Crane were ready and willing to provide the blood transfusion to the little girl, who is now in stable condition.

“We owe America very much,” said Park, who noted this was not the first time Kunsan Air Base has been contacted in this kind of situation. “We are very happy for the quick response of the flight surgeon and the two gentlemen volunteers.”

There are no regrets on the part of the Wolf Pack members who helped out. “I’d hope for the same if it were my kid,” Crane said. “It made me feel really good. It just makes you proud.”

(PACAFNS)

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NEO Plan Adequacy Questioned The following is a Stars and Stripes article on 20 April, 2003. Many retirees question the adequacy of the NEO plan for the same reason given in the article. If the North strikes it will be without notice. The North's aim is to break through the DMZ as quickly as possible and then consolidate their hold on Seoul. Pyeongtaek, Suwon, Osan and Kunsan will be under SCUD attacks. In the midst of this, you don't have time to think about non-combatant evacuation. But the military is mouthing the confident words -- like those gas masks handed out to all the folks. I wonder how many of them carry them when they go out shopping as the attack will be a surprise. Kids in school? You get the picture. Not pleasant.

Retired colonel disputes adequacy of Korea evacuation plan

By T.D. Flack, Stars and Stripes
Stripes Sunday magazine, April 20, 2003

Gloria Kruenegel pays close attention to the news. She lives with her husband, an active-duty airman at Osan Air Base, South Korea, where concertina wire rings the perimeter, Patriot missiles aiming north stand at the ready and aircraft scream overhead after leaving the runway.

Her home is less than 100 miles from the heavily fortified demilitarized zone. As the northernmost U.S. air base in South Korea, Osan likely is in North Korea’s cross hairs. North Korea’s recent missile testing and nuclear saber-rattling scare her.

She’s not alone.

If the threat of war were imminent, Kruenegel would be among the 72,000 Americans whom the U.S. military would have to try to move out of harm’s way, most likely through Japan on the way back to the United States.

Would she get out of Osan safely?

U.S. officials say yes. They have a plan for a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation — or NEO — to get all Americans off the peninsula in a timely fashion.

But one former 8th Army staffer — retired Army Lt. Col. George Amadio — says it’s impossible to move that many people out of a hot zone.

Safety concerns

Amadio says he knows the evacuation system — and its limitations.

He spent 23 years on active and reserve duty, including five years in South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division and 8th Army operation staff, including one tour with his family. He left Korea in 1992.

His argument is simple: The U.S. embassy says 12,000 Department of Defense noncombatant employees and an estimated 60,000 U.S. citizens are in South Korea. If war looms, the U.S. military simply could not get them out of Korea in time.

Millions of South Koreans fleeing south would gridlock roads, rails and ports, Amadio claims. U.S. military planes and ships would be needed to fight the world’s fifth-largest military, not ferry civilians. That the U.S. military could evacuate them in time “is an impossibility,” he told Stars and Stripes.

His prediction: Thousands of dead Americans. “Forget their cars, their household goods … we’re talking about their lives now,” he said.

But U.S. officials told Stripes they’re confident their NEO plans — if ever needed — would work.

Col. Frank Harman, Joint Task Force Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation staff chief, said Amadio might not have “the full appreciation of the big picture and of things that have been done since he’s left. We’ve considered the problem. We’ve developed a detailed plan. We rehearse that detailed plan on a regular basis and we refine that plan after every time we rehearse it.

So we’re constantly improving it.” A senior U.S. Embassy official also told Stripes, “We’re confident that the NEO would get Americans out of harm’s way and back home.”

(SITE NOTE: The gridlock during Chusok with people clogging the arteries out of Seoul is an example of the nightmare DURING PEACETIME. The gridlock nationwide during summer and other holidays are PROOF that any "detailed plan" to use ground transportation is worthless. These are indisputeable facts!!! The "plan" calls for adequate time for evacuation, but the North will not give notice of an attack. The NEO evacuation "plan" from Seoul using cars and buses is patently worthless. Evacuation from Taegu will be a problem as it is a major vehicle chokepoint and has the same problems as Seoul with vehicles. Dependent evacuation from Osan AB/Camp Humphries (Pyongtaek) are better because of the proximity to Ansan port where the evacuation ships will enter. Ship entry was tested in 2001.)

Chusok Exodus (9 Sep 2003)

But Harman declined to answer the million-dollar question: How long would it take to get 72,000 noncombatants out of South Korea?

“We’ve got some good estimates and assumptions, but it’s part of our classified-ops plan,” Harman said, “so I really wouldn’t want to talk about that.”

(SITE NOTE: "Good estimates"???? You're in the midst of a SCUD/artillery attack. Throw in incapacitating gas and a massive gridlock as people attempt to flee Seoul. I don't think anyone could come up with a "good estimate" based of this scenario. Check out Oplan 5027 for the scenario predicted by the USFK and you see the planning of the NEO is worthless if a surprise attack starts.)

Pull out now?

Amadio blasted the United States for not pulling its noncombatants from Korea before, as he put it, war turns it “into a holocaust.”

“The main thing is to get them with some bags packed, get them on a plane,” he said. “The concern is the little lead time you’re going to have. … The North Korean troops are so forward-deployed that there would be no response time.”

His views were published on DefenseWatch, the newsletter portion of a Web site ( www.sftt.org/index.html ) run by Soldiers For The Truth, a “grass-roots educational organization started by a small group of concerned veterans and citizens to inform the public, the Congress, and the media on the decline in readiness of our armed forces.”

Amadio outlined a five-part solution for moving U.S. citizens from Korea, starting with immediately flying out military dependents and eventually evacuating U.S. dependents and civilians in other parts of South Korea.

“There are just too many people,” he said. “It’s a small city of Americans trying to leave the battle area going south … they’ll just be part of the refugees fleeing south, just like 50 years ago.”

A way out

“We’d use almost every available means of transportation to first relocate them and second to move them off the peninsula,” Harman said of noncombatants.

That includes buses, trains and possibly military airlift to departure points in the south, primarily Taegu and Pusan. “As far as taking them off the peninsula, we would use military cargo aircraft, we would use commercial aircraft that would be contracted by the Department of State and then we would use commercial sealift, which would also be contracted by the Department of State,” Harman said.

The flaw, Amadio said, is that North Korea’s special operations force — which military analysts call the world’s largest of its type — will close southern ports and bases. “I wish there were countries to the left and right, but with the water, there’s nowhere to go,” he said. “With all the special operations in the rear area, everyone will be sandwiched in the middle.”

Harman said NEO planners consider such risks. “That’s part of why we exercise,” he said. “It’s the whole thing of identifying and evaluating risk, mitigating that risk so that we can get the noncombatants off … so we go through that mental drill in pretty good detail.

“If it was a threat situation,” he said, “one thing that we’d have to be very careful of is not to mix noncombatants with forces that would be used in the … fight. You don’t want to have any situation where you’ve got noncombatants in military harm’s way.”

Harman also said NEO planners have analyzed moving people from the northern Area 1, home of the 2nd Infantry Division, to the south. “We understand where the friction and the choke-points are … we have mitigating plans to be able to move noncombatants in those situations,” he said.

(SITE NOTE: USFK plans recognize that the Special Operations forces (SOF) will strike in the rear area. The ROK has recognized for decades that these forces cannot be prevented from entry along the coastline. In 1990, it simply gave up monitoring most of the coastline. These SOF will take out railways and infrastructure to create panic. Also there are "sleepers" already in place in key railway postions. Two years ago, a "sleeper" working for the National Railway System was discovered -- and over the years others in key infrastructure positions have been rooted out.)

He also said he believes South Korean emergency planning would prevent the mass panic that could hamper U.S. evacuation efforts.

(SITE NOTE: This statement is utter absurdity!!! While the U.S. panics and tries desperately to depart, the Korean civilians will remain calm and stay at home???)

In a written statement to Stars and Stripes, Lt. Gen. Charles C. Campbell, 8th U.S. Army commander, said, “Having served in Korea in three different decades, I have seen continued progress in our planning, resources and training exercises involving NEO.

We are trained, ready and resourced to conduct an NEO.” But, he said, “I don’t see that mission happening any time soon. One of my main goals is to have families accompany as many servicemembers as we can support. When families are together, we not only provide stability in the family but also in the servicemember’s unit. … which can only enhance our mission readiness.”

NEO exercises

During the twice-yearly exercises, USFK practices running about 12,000 people through its evacuation-control centers. In the most recent drill, Air Force 1st Lt. Tammy Paul was in charge of the group from Area 5 — Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys. “There weren’t really many complaints,” she said. “The Marines treated us great. They dug up sleeping bags and went out of their way to help.”

Kruenegel has been an “evacuee” twice. The role players, about 100 in the latest exercise, get a free weekend “shopping” trip to Japan via military vessel, while the military gets to test its evacuation abilities. She volunteered to ease her mind about the NEO — and help the military perfect the process.

“If they had to do this without practice, who knows what the hell would happen,” she said while sitting on the WestPac Express — a giant catamaran the Marine Corps leases to ferry troops. This is the first time the WestPac — which can carry 900 passengers comfortably, more than 2,000 in an emergency — was used in an NEO operation.

Kruenegel was among about 50 volunteers from across the peninsula who traveled via bus and train to board the catamaran in Pohang for the 14-hour journey to Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, Japan.

(SITE NOTE: The problem with this NEO exercise is that the "plan" used ground transportation which WILL be clogged in case of imminent hostilities. This is not a theory -- but will be a fact as Koreans flood the roads and railway systems.)

Sitting with her was Annette Schaefer, on her first NEO exercise. “I came because I thought it would be a good experience,” she said. “I have kids, and with everything going on, I wanted to make sure I was prepared.”

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Just in case ... Among the first tasks for military dependents and government employees after arriving in South Korea is collecting documents and supplies for an "NEO packet" and "NEO kit," just in case they're ordered to evacuate. Military officials say NEO packets should include, for each person:

• ¶ Passport.
• ¶ Identification card.
• ¶ Birth certificate.
• ¶ Shot records.
• ¶ Insurance policies.
• ¶ Financial records.
• ¶ Powers of attorney.
• ¶ Copies of the sponsor's orders.
• ¶ Vehicle title.
• ¶ Shipping records.
• ¶ Household goods inventory.

NEO kits contain the emergency supplies evacuees would need between processing and relocation. Military officials say those kits, kept in suitcases or knapsacks weighing no more than 66 pounds each, should include, for each person:

• ¶ A three-day supply of lightweight, high-energy, ready-to-eat food.
• ¶ Bottled water.
• ¶ A 30-day supply of prescriptions. ¶ Toiletries. ¶ Clothing. ¶ A transistor radio. ¶ A flashlight. ¶ Extra batteries for the flashlight and radio.
• ¶ For families with infants, a three-day supply of baby formula, diapers and infant-hygiene items.
• ¶ At least $100 and 30,000 won in cash, for contingencies.
• ¶ Gas masks. Within 30 days of arrival in South Korea, each family member should receive a gas mask, which comes in models to fit infants, children ages 3 to 6, adults and adults with medical problems. Officials conduct bi-annual drills that show people how to use the masks. — Stars and Stripes

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USFK Transfers Traffic Violations to ROK The following is a Stars and Stripes article on April 30, 2003 over a major criticism of SOFA where U.S. "criminals" "flee the country" without paying for their traffic tickets. In August, the USFK cars will be registered with the Korean authorities. Under Korean law, the traffic violation is considered a "crime." New car plates will resemble the local plates.

USFK hands S. Korea authority for dealing with traffic violations

By T.D. Flack, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, April 30, 2003

SEOUL — U.S. and South Korean officials agreed Friday to give local off-base authorities the power to administer jurisdiction over privately owned vehicles in the American military community.

The agreement was made during a meeting of a special joint task force formed to improve the implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement between the nations.

South Korea has had jurisdiction since 1966 under Article 24 of the U.S.-ROK Status of Forces Agreement, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade statement, but USFK officials administered the rules. The agreement includes tens of thousands of unpaid traffic violations worth nearly $500,000, which have accumulated since 2000.

USFK officials said U.S. soldiers are required to pay traffic violation fines, but the problem has been that violation notices were often received months after troops had left the peninsula and often came without an English translation or clear instructions on how to contest or pay the fine.

“This phenomenon can be seen to be trivial, but it gives Korean public a significantly wrong impression that USFK personnel are immune from local authority’s jurisdiction,” the ministry stated.

A ministry spokesman said U.S. forces officials requested at last week’s meeting that the unpaid fines for servicemembers no longer stationed in South Korea be scrapped.

The spokesman said that was impossible, but that if the fines go unpaid for five years, they are wiped off the books.

Beginning Aug. 1, the ministry said U.S. Forces Korea personnel must register their vehicles with local government offices and “the vehicles of the U.S. military personnel will be treated in the same way as those owned by Korean nationals.”

The most noticeable difference will likely be license plates. Currently, privately owned vehicles use license plates with a numeral instead of a Korean character preceding the four-digit plate number.

According to USFK, current plates will be phased out in the reregistration process during the next two years, with a final deadline of Dec. 31, 2004.

The new plates “will likely look identical to ROK plates other than minor modifications as necessary to affix plates to an American vehicle,” according to USFK, but the Ministry of Construction and Transportation hasn’t finalized the new plate guidelines.

Other changes include:

• Traffic violation notices will be printed in both Korean and English and provided within 40 days of the alleged violation.
• South Korean registration officers will travel to large military bases, such as Yongsan Garrison, regularly to assist in registering vehicles.
• South Korean officials will send a list of unpaid fines to U.S. Forces Korea each month, and within 72 hours, military police will ban those vehicles from going off base or being sold until the fines are paid.
• USFK personnel who commit traffic offenses punishable by license suspension under local regulations will lose their USFK licenses for periods stipulated by South Korean law.
• USFK will conduct random checks to ensure drivers maintain current liability insurance. Ministry officials said they are happy with the changes and expect “that our law enforcement will become much more effective.”

“ROK particularly appreciates U.S. initiative to render its support for the effective enforcement of relevant ROK laws,” the ministry release stated.

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Pro-US Rally

Pro-US rally (Jan 14): (See Pro-U.S. demonstrations .) At Kunsan, 350 demonstrators demonstrated in support of the continued presence of the USFK in Korea on Jan 14. Ironically, the Pro-American demonstration at Kunsan consisted of the American-Town Bar Owners Association, Foreign Organization Employee Union and the Korean contractors at Kunsan. It was NOT "stay in Korea to protect my country," but "stay in Korea to protect my paycheck." Though it also protested the North Korean nuclear program that threatened the peace on the peninsula, the primary focus was on jobs. Han Ki-Hong of the Kunsan Employees Union stated, "This is a matter of our own lives. We are dependent of the base for our jobs." (See Wolf Pack Warrior .)

Wolf Pack Warrior (Jan 17)
Click on Photo to Enlarge

The following story is from PACAF News Service on 21 Jan.

Pro U.S. rally held at Kunsan

Jan. 21, 2003

by Senior Airman Andrew Svoboda
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- About 350 South Koreans gathered outside the Kunsan Air Base main gate Tuesday to show their support for United States Forces Korea troops.

Although a first for Kunsan, pro-U.S rallies have taken place outside U.S. military installations in Seoul and Osan throughout the past two weeks.

Among those gathered to express opposition to removing United States Forces Korea troops from the peninsula were members of the Kunsan chapter of the Foreign Organization Employee Union, the America Town Bar Owners Association and Korean contractors working with Kunsan Air Base.

The rallies may come as a surprise to some, after the recent outpouring of anti-U.S. military protests and sentiment that followed the acquittals of two 8th Army soldiers in Seoul.

Many of the recent protests against the U.S. military have called for a revision of the Status of Forces Agreement in addition to the removal of USFK troops from the peninsula.

Han, Ki Hong, president of the Kunsan labor union, spoke to gatherers during the assembly. His words reflected those gathered for the rally and were in disagreement with the protest for many reasons, none the least being North Korea’s decision to activate it's nuclear power program.

"We do not want North Korea's light water plant reactivated. We are also against the protesters call to remove the U.S. military from Korea," he said. "This is a matter of our own lives. We are dependent on the base for our jobs."

Han went on to say he hopes this rally and others like it will help strengthen ties between U.S. military installations and those surrounding communities.

"Hopefully, these rallies will influence both the Korean-wide media and anti-American protesters," he said. "We want to send the message to North Korea that we don't want the light water plant reactivation plans to continue." (PACAFNS)

Osan Retailers Form Defense Squads for GIs An article in the Korea Times on 2 May showed a different perspective on pro-US support -- it dealt with the reality that the GIs brought a profit to the retailers and the student protestors were driving business away. The article stated:

Retailers Set Up Squad to Defend US Soldiers

By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

Retailers doing business in front of the Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, plan to organize a squad to defend U.S. soldiers from anti-American protesters.

``Quite a number of people have agreed to form a group to fight against radicals who often stage rallies in front of the base,'' Songtan Chamber of Commerce chairman Lee Kyong-chu told The Korea Times. ``The move is aimed at providing our customers with a safe environment. This is also for our own interests. Most stores here have seen a drop in sales because of the protesters, who often stage violent demonstrations.''

Lee explained some of the owners of 500 stores in the area are willing to join the group because about 95 percent of their profits come from American soldiers in the air base and their families. ``We can't sit idle while our interests are being threatened by the radicals,'' he said.

Student activists have staged rallies in front of the base almost every week since last year's court martial acquittal of two American soldiers whose armored vehicle accidentally killed two Korean schoolgirls in Uijongbu, north of Seoul.

The protests have caused American soldiers and their families shy away from the district, damaging the businesses in the area, Lee said.

Street brawls have often broken out between student activists and local merchants trying to prohibit them from holding rallies, he said.

``Some left-wing parties are using the armored vehicle incident to increase their political clout,'' Lee said, adding that most U.S. soldiers and their families are decent and valuable customers.

Their action comes as business prospects are looking up in Osan, Pyongtaek and Songtan after reports that South Korea and the U.S. agreed to relocate bases in Seoul and north of Seoul to the areas. Since then, apartment prices in the three areas have soared while an increasing number of retailers have moved from Uijongbu and Tongduchon to these areas, according to the National Statistics Office.

Civic activists, who have been demanding South Korean courts be given jurisdiction over U.S. soldiers committing crimes while on duty, criticized the retailers of starting a movement that ``could eventually harm the national pride and interests.''

``It could effectively increase their profits in the short-term,'' Movement for Prevention of Crimes by U.S. Soldiers spokesperson Hong Min-young said. ``I want them to listen to voices from students who have been trying to restore independence from U.S. military protection. Also, they