• 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 (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. (Updated: 3 June 2003)
• Military Affairs (2004) -- Seoul Courts Rule Against USFK Land Use; Vehicle Registration Policy Change; Crime Reports on USFK Soldiers; Continuing ROK-US Prosecutions; Bonus to Soldiers for Extension (Updated: 14 January 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)
  
  
  • 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. Strykers success in Iraq for urban warfare role, but still questions about use in mountainous terrain unanswered. Decision to return the Interim Brigade Combat Team to Korea appears to be still up in the air as of 2004. (Updated: Jan 2004)
  
  
  
• Relocation of USFK Bases (2004) -- 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: Weekly)
  
  
  • Proposed ROK FY2005 Military Budget -- Is It the Last Straw??? (OPINION) -- ROK Promised Defense Spending increase of 3.2 percent of GDP in 2004, but delivered a 2.8 percent of GDP. ROK Spending has now passed 1997 levels. The US position is that the ROK has the ability to increase its defense spending, but the ROK has not shown the will to do so. ROK "self-reliant" defense is delusional, but the ROK is maintaining the "free-ride" using the US High-tech warfare umbrella. Cursory look at why the ROK "Self-reliant" Defense is delusional. Though stated as reasons for Budget increase, the truth is that the E-X program will be sent out for bids in Nov 2004 and the SAM-X (Patriot) will NEVER be procured as long as President Roh is in office. The ROK is developing weapons programs that offer technology transfer or benefit industrial growth -- not necessarily what is essential to the defense programs. The ROK continues to be a thorn with its refusal to fund the Yongsan move and disputes over land use with the end result possibly being an explosion that destroys the US-ROK Alliance. (Posted: June 2004)
    
  • Dangerous Game the ROK is Playing (OPINION) -- Indepth look at the US Perspective on the evolving US-ROK alliance. Look into the r reasons for the ROK "Stall-and-Conquer" Negotiation strategy. Look at the growing American anti-Korean opinion; USFK and Department of Defense strategy; Head-on collision resulting in reduction in forces and pull-out of troops (Posted: June 2004)
    
    
• 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. Whether unrealistic or not, President Roh is seeking "self-reliance" for South Korea's defense by 2010. (Updated: 4 Sept 2003)
  
  
• Military Affairst: North Korean Crisis: -- Equipment changes; Korea-wide Exercises; Force Positioning; Policy changes; North-South military dialogue. (Updated: Monthly)
  
  
  • 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)
  
  
  
• Spies, Espionage & Infiltrators: -- Personal Opinion on the Spy Situation in Kunsan. Covers the spy organizations and the abuses by Presidents from Syngman Rhee to Roh Moo-hyun. Covers cases of captured infiltrators and deep-cover spies discovered in recent years to back up conclusions. (Sources footnoted) Covers history of communism in Cholla Provinces; list of coastal infiltration with methods of infiltration and vehicles used. (Posted: 24 May 2004)
  

• 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
  
  • 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 in Baghdad and Seoul. (Updated: 16 April 2003)
    
• Apr-Jun 2003
  
• Jul-Sep 2003
  
• Oct-Dec 2003
  
• Jan-Mar 2004
  
• Apr-Jun 2004
  

• 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

Korean Perspective on War on Iraq:

Anti-War Protest in Seoul (1 March)
(Source: OhMy News)

The anti-American theme was still there -- but masked as being aimed at the Iraq War policy. Bush, Rumsfeld and Powell were targeted as "warmongers" and depicted on signs as bloodthirsty vampires. The demonstrations transferred some of the favorite demonstration performances to the new anti-War campaign. For example, the "F_CKING U.S.A." song rendition by three singers holding lighted torches at all the rallies is still popular for rousing sing-alongs. (See Fucking U.S.A..) The image is quite powerful.

TRANSLATION OF LYRICS TO "FUCKING U.S.A." (Source: Kukguk Choson)

1. Did you see the short-track skating race?
A vulgar country, fucking U.S.A.
Are you so happy over a gold medal?
A nasty country, fucking U.S.A.
Such as you are, can you claim that the U.S.A. is a nation of justice?
Why on earth don't we say what we have to?
Are we slaves of a colonial nation?
Now we will shout: "No to the U.S.A."
A wretched thief, fucking U.S.A. that stole our Olympic gold medal
A wicked robber, fucking U.S.A. that tries to rob everything by force


2. Did you hear Bush's reckless words?
A shameless country, fucking U.S.A.
It makes war threats to the north as well as intervention into the south
A country of gangsters, fucking U.S.A.
Is the U.S.A. still a beautiful country?
Is the north still an "enemy" to be killed?
How much more do you want to endure?
It's time to shout: "Yankee, go home!"
You dirty Yankees, wait and see
We will reunify the country with the independent force of the Korean nation
We will build a dignified country, a reunified country

Don't forget the blood-stained history of Korea!
You, author of Korea's division, fucking U.S.A.
Don't forget the Nogun-ri massacre of civilians!
You, murderer, fucking U.S.A.

NOTE: South Korean pop composer Yoon Min-sok composed "Fucking U.S.A." in reflection of the daily rising anti-US sentiments of South Koreans. The song "Fucking U.S.A." was motivated by a scandal at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics. In the short-track speed skating, a south Korean skater Kim Dong-seong won one of the races, but the gold medal went to Apollo Ohno, a US skater due to the supposedly unfair decision which was adopted by the judges after the US's "highhanded behavior."

Anti-War (15 Mar 03)
Note the participation of kids -- the next generation of anti-Americans!!!

Deadline for Iraq (19 March: Korea):

Eve of War (20 March: Korea):

Day 1 (March 21: Korea):

Government Building after Baghdad Attack (22 March)

Units of the U.S Marine 1st Expeditionary Force and Army 3rd Infantry Division cross into southern Iraq to secure positions for a ground attack by U.S. and British troops. They headed straight for Baghdad. A armored division including British Royal Marines, commandos and 2,000 U.S. Marines, enter Iraq and peels east toward Basra. Ahead of them were some Fedayeen, Saddam's personal fighters, and the 51st Infantry Division (Regular Army).

There was not much action in the news except that many Scud -- or unidentified missiles -- were fired at Kuwait. There was great concern that the attacks would be chemical/biological, but none were identified as such. Eight British and four U.S. Marines were killed when their helicopter crashed near the Kuwait-Iraqi border.

4th ID equipment awaiting approval of Turkey to start landing operations. Carrier groups USS Theodore Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman launching flights into Iraq from Mediterranean Sea. In Persian Gulf, four U.S. carriers, the Kitty Hawk, Constellation and Abraham Lincoln, plus the British carrier Ark Royal and their submarines, cruisers and destroyers, many Tomahawk capable, firing and launching attacks daily. In Red Sea, flotilla of eight Tomahawk capable U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers launching attacks daily.

Korea: Suddenly it got real quiet in Korea. Besides the war protestors, there was silence in Korea as everyone was riveted on the TV news. The reality suddenly dawned on the Koreans that if the U.S. would go it alone in Iraq -- with a little help from its friends -- it could do the same thing here in Korea. North Korea said it was insulted that there were increased security measures aimed at the North as it had nothing to do with the Iraq War.

Also suddenly President Roh did an about-face on his call for renegotiations on the relocation of the USFK. Roh stated he will not discuss the reduction of U.S. forces in South Korea until the North Korean nuclear situation is fully resolved. In a dinner meeting with parliamentary and party leaders, Roh assured the public there was no need to be concerned that Washington would target North Korea after the war with Iraq.

The TV was filled with news on the Iraqi War buildup...and Koreans were disturbed that 500-700 Korean engineers-medical soldiers were promised for the occupation phase of the Iraq War. The Koreans viewed it as blackmail for the present "protection" the U.S. provides in Korea. The media made it appear that the Roh administration was "forced" to do this by the U.S. -- and perhaps they were after VP Cheney's phone call to Roh on 20 Mar.

On 21 March, the day the war began, the President Roh held a cabinet meeting to approve and send a motion to parliament for the dispatch of troops to Iraq. Of course, the National Assembly was in recess and would have to be reconvened in a special session for passage of the troop dispatch measure. There really was no big rush as South Korea intended to dispatch troops to Iraq after mid-May, when the war was expected to be over or be drawing to a close. But the administration made a big show of it by assembling the troops in desert camouflage uniforms and parading them out for a dress review in front of a 4-star Korean general. Their mission hadn't even been approved by the National Assembly -- and they were out for a photo op.

The move by President Roh is self-serving to say the least. He is faced with a potential breakup of South Korea's 50-year-old alliance with the U.S. He has tried to sell the sending of troops to Iraq as a way to win leverage with the United States over its policies for the Korean Peninsula. Later on 25 Mar Roh told party leaders, "I made the decision for the national interest because we may get a bigger say in dealing with the United States by sending noncombat troops."

On 22 March, the Ministry of Defense stated that the May departure may be moved up and it was planning to send 60 Special Forces soldiers along to provide protection for the Engineering battalion.

Anti-War Movement Protests Start in Earnest: (Go to Protests: 2003 for indepth details of the Protest Movement.) On Mar 20, the eve of the war, NGO civic groups and student groups held rallies in Gwanghwamun, Seoul to protest the attack by U.S. and coalition forces on Iraq and the Seoul government's decision to send non-combat personnel to assist U.S. forces there. About 1,000 members from some 700 civic activist groups such as the Korean Professors' Union jointly staged a sit-in demonstration as well as nighttime candlelight vigils, holding placards and chanting slogans to denounce the U.S.-led war near Kwanghwamun downtown, Seoul. They demanded the immediate halt of the attack -- as though anyone in the US-England coalition was listening to them. They stated President Roh's support of the U.S. attack was illegal and that if Korea sent troops to an unjustifiable war, Korea would be stigmatized as a criminal nation.

Professors protest in front of Blue House

However, President Roh feared an over-reaction by the police to anti-War demonstrations. The NGO activist groups are known as Roh's popular base of support. As a result on 21 Mar, he instructed police not to employ "heavy-handed tactics" in dealing with protests against the U.S.-led war on Iraq. Keen to avoid clashes between police and protestors, Roh issued the order to his political aide Yoo In-tae after receiving a briefing on the candlelight anti-war rally held in downtown Seoul on 20 Mar.

Laughably, the 13 anti-War protestors from Korea that went to Iraq to act as human shields have just earned our "Chicken Little Award for Valor." 10 of the 13 remained in Amman, Jordan out of harm's way while "getting visas" -- and waiting for the bombing to stop. In actuality on March 12, the 10 "went to Baghdad and staged an anti-war candlelight vigil, which included hanging a large banner with an anti-war message." They left Iraq two days before the war began. For such "courage, " these "human shields" will receive our "Chicken Little Award of Valor." Three who made it into Iraq selected sites of their own choosing. Two protestors chose to act as human shields in their hotel room, while one bravely went out to take up duties at a power plant. However, BEFORE the attacks began, he removed himself back to the hotel to a BASEMENT room. The three were doing "humanitarian service" at a local hospital which in their words was "more meaningful" than being a human shield. So much for the dedicated Human Shields of the Korean Peace Team!!!

The use of human shields as a tactic of preventing war was applied to Korea. On 21 March, Kim Seung-kuk, Chairperson of the Solidarity of Korea Reunification Peace Committee in South Korea, asserted that the most visible way of preventing war on the Korean peninsula was to deploy human shields in potential areas of conflict to disrupt attackers from bombing the area. "As severe international denunciation will be directed at any U.S. attack endangering the lives of U.S. or Japanese activists, they can really be a "shield" against a U.S. attack on North Korea." As ambassadors of human shields, the Koreans are not much use as seen by the actions of the Korea Peace Team in Iraq. The second point was that he was totally wrong in that in did nothing to stop the U.S. bombing of what it considered "strategic targets" in Baghdad.

Korean Human Shields in Iraq (Source: Tongil News)

According to the Korea Herald on 22 Mar, "Bae Sang-hyun, one of the three now in the Iraqi capital, told an MBC radio program yesterday that he was leaving a power plant in northern Iraq unharmed. He was in the facility Thursday as part of a "human shield" when the United States launched its first strike. Bae considered the complex would be a prime target of the U.S.-led attack. "Although we are having difficulty with getting food, clothing and housing, there's no big problem with our health," Bae was quoted as saying. The trio, including a 29-year-old woman, Yoo Eun-ha, said they are staying in the AlFanar Hotel in Baghdad and will push ahead with the anti-war campaign and rescue work there along with other human rights activists."

Later Bae Sang-hyun removed himself from the power plant and went to into "humanitarian service" at a local hospital. Bae said he decided that giving humanitarian assistance would be "more meaningful" than being a human shield, so he left the power transformer facility before the air strike began on the 20th. Bae reported that he came out of the substation because, as the war began, there was no meaning as a human shield. But others including two Japanese remained there . Bae reported the local news in an e-mail to the Coalition of Hope for Open Society at Masan, a southeastern city on 20 Mar. “The air strikes started around 5:30 am. I went up to the roof of the electric substation. I can hear bombshells everywhere that break the morning. About 40 U.S. fighters fire missiles. There are anti-craft fires from the Iraqi military. Managers here call me, saying that they will get here soon. The bombings continued for about an hour.” (Mar. 20, 1 a.m.) (SITE NOTE: The absence of danger to these Human Shields protecting the substation was fairly certain as the coalition had previously stated they were NOT targeting the infrastructure. The proof of this promise is that the lights of Baghdad stayed on during the horrific "Shock and Awe" bombings on the government centers of power.)

On 22 Mar contact was lost with the three activists in Iraq. Calls were made to their hotel in Baghdad where Han Sang-jin, Yoo Eun-ha and Bae Sang-hyun were staying, but government officials couldn't get through. On 24 Mar, four of the 10 Korean peace activists who were in Jordan returned to Korea.

However, much of the anti-War protests was being played out on the internet. Petitions are being circulated and the Blue House website has been swamped by emails protesting the sending of troops to Iraq in May. The following is from the Choson Ilbo on 22 Mar:

Support for War Sparks Nationwide Debate

by Cho Seung-hyun (vaidale@chosun.com)

The government's decision to support the U.S. war effort in Iraq has stirred up a flurry of disputes among the segments of society. The Korean Professors Union held a press conference in front of Cheong Wa Dae on Friday, censuring the attack and Seoul's decision to dispatch troops to Iraq. The union, with about 800 members present, said that President Roh Moo-hyun's support of the U.S. attack was illegal and that if Korea sent troops to an unjustifiable war, Korea would be stigmatized as a criminal nation.

Supporting the decision to back the war in Iraq were members of the March 1st National Convention, such as former Prime Minister Lee Young-deok, the president of the Korea-America Friendship Society, Park Keun, and members of the Citizens United for a Better Society. They say the government should cooperate with Washington and send troops to the Persian Gulf to maintain the Korea-U.S. military alliance.

Much of the dispute is playing out on the Internet, where tempers flared after President Roh's televised address on Thursday. A netizen with the ID of "small practice" wrote on the Web site Jinbonuri that "President Roh violated the constitution by deciding to dispatch our troops to Iraq." He created a petition, to which 150 people quickly added their names.

The Cheong Wa Dae Web site was swarming with thousands of posts and emails criticizing the president's decision. One netizen said that the president had betrayed his people and in return the people should betray him.

But other voices supported Roh. A netizen with the ID "people" wrote on the Cheong Wa Dae Web site that "The war is abhorrent, but as an ally of the U.S., we must not forget that 30,000 American soldiers are in Korea to secure our nation." Another netizen at the Jinbonuri site wrote, "People are being oversensitive about a practical diplomatic decision made by the president. Supporting this war is a necessary move."

The general feeling in Korea was reflected by what 29-year-old designer Kim Soo-myung said, "This war shows that the United States can strike North Korea anytime it wants, just like it hit Baghdad without a U.N. agreement." If the U.S. launched a pre-emptive strike against Iraq without the world's approval, what will stop it from launching a pre-emptive attack against North Korea without South Korean approval. The point was starting to sink in -- and frighten a lot of people.

A majority of Internet users in the nation were overwhelmingly opposed to the U.S.-led assault on Iraq. In an online survey of 40,035 people conducted by Yahoo! Korea on 20 Mar:

• over 75 percent or 30,080 respondents said that they believe the attack on Iraq was to secure U.S. interests in controlling Iraqi oil reserves.
• Many Koreans are highly suspicious of U.S. President George W. Bush's motives for the attack, adding to the anti-U.S. sentiments already present in Korea.
  
  Bush Announces War Start:

• The respondents said that U.S. military and oil conglomerates will benefit the most from the war.
• 44 percent of the respondents said the war could bring about a chain of bloody revenges including counterattacks by terrorists.

Day 2 (March 22: Korea):

Bombing of Baghdad (22 Mar)

In reaction, the world exploded in anger against the U.S. war in Iraq. The whole of the Arab world took the War on Iraq as a personal attack on themselves. Though Japan and Korea have come out as supporters of the war, it is viewed by their peoples as a "political necessity" given the problems with North Korea.

(Go to MSNBC.COM for video of initial bombing of Baghdad. In a second report during Friday’s strikes on Baghdad, Peter Arnett reports for National Geographic Explorer and NBC News on the damage.)

The Korean TV played repeatedly the 90-minutes of "shock and awe" bombing of Baghdad that demolished Saddam's administrative buildings on the banks of the Euphrates River. The daylight raid was from 30 different bases using 17 different types of aircraft. News was broadcast that Saddam was "wounded" in the previous day's attack -- which puts the "live" TV broadcast right after the initial attack in question. However, the severity of the wounds was unknown. More "shock and awe" bombings were expected at night.

TV News reported that some Regular Iraq army divisions have surrendered, but the Republican Guards have not been heard from. The port of Um Quassar, where all the relief food would enter, was in coalition hands. However, the second largest city in Iraq of 1 million, Basfra, still had not surrendered. Though not a tactical target, the mainly Shiite populated city with no love for Hussein, would be a major psychological and propaganda victory. However, it had a brigade in the city that had not "capitulated" -- the term for laying down your arms and promising not to fight. The American 3rd Infantry Division convoy continues to make good speed to close in its drive towards on Baghdad and should be around a third of the way there.

Convoy Heading into Iraq (Kuwait)

Turkey Adds a Hiccup to the War: 1,500 Turks crossed the border into Iraq to "block refugees in Turkey," joining about 2,000 already in Iraq along the border. The worry is that the Turkish army may move toward the Iraq oil fields of Mosul -- about 120 miles from the Turkish border -- and Kirkuk further west. This will create a major problem for the coalition. Donald Rumsfeld expressed fury at Turkey for their actions -- alluding to severe sanctions after the War was over if they were creating a "war within a war."

Though Turkey said they had no territorial ambitions, there was much anger on the part of the U.S. -- and suspicion by many that the Turkish government was trying to set up a confrontational situation where they can make a land grab for the oil fields of Mosul and Kirkuk. There was a lot of mixed signals with some Turks politicians "assuring" the press that the 1,500 were the numbers ALREADY in Iraq from prior arrangements with the Kurds. No one was sure.

Turkey airspace was still closed to the allied forces because of this impasse stranding in the eastern Mediterranean the 100 attack planes from the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Harry S. Truman. In addition, tanks and supplies off the Turkey coast was being rerouted because the land route is also blocked. Turkey continued to refuse to allow the 4th ID equipment to be off-loaded for entry into the Iraq. The only options for the U.S. is to bring their support equipment and forces to northern Iraq in from the south. America was furious!!!

"Exasperated by Turkey's refusal to consider allowing American troops through its territory into northern Iraq, the Pentagon has decided to divert about 40 ships carrying heavy tanks and combat equipment for the Army's Fourth Infantry Division to Kuwait from the eastern Mediterranean, two military officials said today. The ships, which have been waiting off the Turkish coast for weeks to unload their cargo, will probably begin moving toward the gulf in the next few days.Once the ships pass through the Suez Canal, it will take about 11 days to reach Kuwait, Navy officials said. The Fourth Division's troops are still at Fort Hood, Tex."

Iraq Map
(Click on Map to Enlarge)

Korea More anti-war demonstrations were scheduled throughout Korea on 22 March. Thousands of NGO group activists held a rally on 22 Mar in in City Hall Plaza to denounce the United States for unilaterally waging war on Iraq without the approval of the United Nations. The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), Green Korea (Environmental Movement) and several other major NGOs in a "Stop War" demonstration. About 2,000 activists staged an anti-war rally chanting `stop war' and blowing whistles and bugles "in protest against the immoral war.'' Vietnamese Buddhist monk and spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hann joined the rally.

In a separate rally, the Korea Action Network Against War, a coalition group of some 700 civic groups, held a full-scale rally which that extended into a nighttime candlelight prayer vigil at central Seoul's Jongmyo Park near Kwanghwamun. The 2,000 ralliers came from hundreds of civic groups, some of them anti-war, some anti-American. One, Anti Migun, is dedicated to "finding solutions" for the two girls who were killed by a U.S. armored car last June. The demonstrators held candles and paraded in the park. The participants said that the U.S.'s war in Iraq was unjustifiable and opposed to the United Nations and international sentiment. They called for President Roh Moo-hyun to immediately withdraw his support for the war and his decision to dispatch forces to Iraq. As a precautionary measure, the police posted 8,000 officers from 63 squadrons outside the U.S. Embassy.

On 22 March, the USFK issued warnings that personnel should avoid the demonstrations with instructions not to stop -- and not to interact with demonstrators.

Day 3 (March 23):

Al Jazeera broadcast scenes of the dead bodies and the American POWs on TV. On screen, there were at least 5 dead American soldiers lying in a destroyed house with blood all over the walls. Iraq stated that these American soldiers were killed at Nasiriya, in northern Iraq, where the Iraqis had a fierce battle with United States troops. An appearance of a dead soldier in fully equipped gear with helmet lying along a highway also was broadcast.

Following the scenes of the dead American soldiers, Al Jazeera also broadcast the scenes of 5 soldiers being interviewed by Iraqi TV in English with fearful looks on their faces. One sergeant and a woman soldier, who clarified that they are from New Jersey and Texas seemed severely wounded.

Korea: In Korea outside Kunsan Air Base in the afternoon on Sunday, one lone protestor stood wearing a billboard sign proclaiming, "No War." The weather was rather mild so it was surprising that more demonstrators had not assembled there.

In Seoul, various rallies were held to protest the war in Iraq. Hundreds of civil groups held an afternoon press conference Sunday in front of the National Assembly to protest Seoul's decision to send forces to Iraq. The meeting with reporters was followed by a candlelight rally at 7 p.m. and an all-night sit-down protest. Over at Jongmyo Park in central Seoul, about 1,500 members of the National Labor Union of Public Service Workers rallied. Also, a parents' organization, the Parents' Group that Loves School, said it would begin an anti-war petition for children to sign.

Anti-War Protest (23 Mar 03) (Source: Tongil News)

In the photo above, note the mixed messages -- BOTH commemorative AND anti-War. The anti-War rally In Seoul was led by Preacher Han Sang-ryul of Anti-Migun -- the same minister that visited the White House in the middle of winter to protest the SOFA over the death of the two girls. Again he shaved his head -- but this time before a smaller crowd. That is why there are mixed messages of commemoration AND anti-War. (Go to Tongil News for details.) The burning of the sign of Bush replaces the US flag seen in other protests around the world. Kunsan's Rev. Mun Chon-Hyun's (right) who leads the anti-War Movement is torching the Bush vampire image. The USFK issued a warning advisory to all USFK troops to bypass any demonstrations.

Anti-War Protest (23 Mar 03) (Source: Tongil News)

Day 4 (24 March: Korea):

Day 5 (25 March: Korea):

Anti-War Protest National Assembly (26 Mar 03) (Source: Tongil News)

The North issued statements that the military strike on Iraq and the joint U.S.-South Korea military exercise on the Korean Peninsula have awakened North Korea to the need to take all necessary measures for its "just defense." In response, President Roh has stated emphatically that the U.S. has no intentions of attacking North Korea after the Iraqi War is finished.

Day 6 (26 March: Korea):

Anti-War Protest U.S. Embassy (26 Mar 03) (Source: Tongil News)

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KFCTU) would try to combine the efforts of the 700-odd civic groups that have allied themselves in the national anti-war movement. The Korean Teachers and Educational Workers Union said that its members would teach anti-war themes and distribute anti-war stickers during classroom hours.

Anti-War Protest Mad War (26 Mar 03)
Note the Use of "American" McDonald's Sign (Source: Tongil News)

President Roh Tried to quell Peace Movement by acting swiftly to suppress the anti-war movement led by civic groups. Cabinet members urged support for the U.S. effort, saying that "if you want to live on a peaceful street you need a strong city boss." Cheong Wa Dae invited leaders of about 10 civic groups to a meeting on 26 Mar to explain its decision to send troops, but several of the leaders refused to attend.

Day 7 (27 March: Korea):