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Link Page for Osan Air Base & Songtan -- How It Was...
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Life Goes on at Shinjang Mall -- Some of the long-time merchants and business people who have been part of Songtan's history
Shinjang Mall: American Off-base Bar Culture -- Things changed drastically when the USFK became the moral guardians of their soldiers/airmen. Solicitation of Prostitutes was made illegal and off-base curfews greatly impacted the bar businesses.
Domestic Events: 2006 -- Controversial school program changes from changing the school year to attacks on Private School Education; Roh administration attacks on Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Expression; Roh scrambling to find revenues to support his extravagant domestic programs, military "self-reliant defense" upgrades, and North Korean giveaways; and NIS "Truth Committee" reports slanted to prosecute the Roh agenda; NHRC actions; Turmoil in the police department; Roh administration's continued actions to fill key government positions with "progressives"; Xenophobic witch-hunt to penalize Japanese "collaborators."
Domestic Events: 2007 -- Controversial school program changes from changing the school year to attacks on Private School Education; the last year of the Roh "lame duck" administration that has left Korea's economy in shambles; a housing bubble that is feared to be ready to burst; and an economy supported by exports while the local economy stagnates.
Domestic Events: 2008 -- Inflation, joblessness and economy in stagflation as a result of Roh administration policies. Lee administration conservativism and pro-business stance holds promise for a turnaround -- but nation still not convinced. Lee's big dreams of a canal and reversing the Roh administration policies may cause a lot of pain -- the most immediate being the downsizing of government.
Public School Law (2007) -- Devisive issue dating back to the beginnings of the Roh administration and his administration's attempt to institute an eglatarian form of education. The results have been less than satisfactory. Using the excuse of corruption by some schools, the administration started to attempt to institute controls by changing the school board of directors makeup. The GNP protested and took the cases to the Constitutional Court.
Education: Eglatarianism or Scholarship (2007) Under the liberal administrations, the educational system of Korea became a fortress of bureaucracy with a philosophy of "dumbing down" the standards to supposedly even the playing field. The entire system used monies and regulations to force the schools to bend to their will. Basic Science was lacking, Engineering in colleges was rated an "F", but the most ominous was the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers Union (KTEWU) that started teaching the North's philosophy to children with the acquiescence of the Education Ministry. The Conservatives fought back over the Private School Law and openly battled Roh's "Three No's of Education" policies. Unqualified foreign teachers and failing TOEFL/TOEIC tests were other problems. After Lee Myeong-bak was elected in Dec 2007, his transition team announced the Education Ministry would be downsized and colleges would be allowed to handle its own entrance requirements. The new Conservatives would seek to reverse the Roh administrations "egalitarian" form of education.
Education: Massive Upheaval (2008) -- Massive Educational changes underway in education -- some leftovers from the Roh administration, while others from the Lee Myeong-bak administration.
Internet Woes Run the Gamut (Jan-May 2007) From Prostitution, Internet harassment, malicious attacks on foreign computers, failure of WiBro to fulfill expectations, etc. etc. etc. Many of the ROK social ills are being blamed on the internet -- including teenage suicides -- but the ROK fails to address the root causes. The internet culture is also being forced to come to grips with blogs that spread libelous materials.
Korea Rewriting History (2007) -- Korea continues to condemn China over its incorrect ancient history and Japan over its more recent WWII history. In Jan 2007, during the winter games, Korea skiers outraged China when they held up signs claiming "Baekdu is Ours." This is a continuation of the ROK-Chinese disputes dealing with the boundary areas and the claims that Korea was a vassal state of China. At the same time Korea is revising its history text books and training a new generation on the liberal, nationalistic revisions. In addition, Korean historical dramas are exporting the Korean historical views and offended Chinese TV viewers. The disputes center around the early Korean kingdoms -- and Korea has extended its historical revision to consider Dangeun -- the semi-god founder of Korea -- as a figurative symbol of a real kingdom that existed. The history is a mandatory subject in elementary through high schools -- but now will be a mandatory test for college entrance exams starting in 2010. The incoming Lee Myeong-bak has taken a dim view of the revisionist history fostered by liberal activists. The "truth committees" will be reined in under the new Conservative administration.
Suicides Growing Problem in Korea (2007) -- Something is wrong when more people die of suicides than car accidents. Korea has the highest suicide rate amongst 30 OECD countries.
Inter-Korean Railroad (2007-2008) -- The test of the railroad on 17 May 2007 was a historic event. After many delays dating back to 2004, the railroad runs were made on two rail lines. The tests were highly symbolic to the Korean people of the progress towards reunification. However, it came at a cost in the ROK form of giveaways. The railway started daily cargo runs to Kaesong, but further costly expansion will be reviewed by the incoming Lee Myeong-bak administration. Once the symbol of national reunification, the railway by 2008 had lost its symbolism in the populace's mind.
ROK "Humanitarian Aid" to North Korea (2007) Roh Moo-hyun using funding of the Unification Ministry and support of activist groups has sent massive amounts of aid to the North without reciprocal arrangements. Fertilizer, Medicine, Land Development in the North, Cash and Building materials, and Rice. Besides this the World Food Program was heavily subsidized by the ROK while the rest of the world was refusing to donate because the North would not allow monitoring of the food distribution -- meaning the food went to the Army first. Heavy Fuel Oil and Electricity were also sent.
ROK Humanitarian Aid to North and Human Rights (2008) -- Lee Myeong-bak has started to swing away from the give-away programs of Roh Moo-hyun and into one that offers aid with a price-tag. Revelations that the North diverted the humanitarian rice to the DPRK military and diversion of funds for the family reunion program has also been voiced. Lee has taken a stronger stand on the human rights issues dealing with the North -- much to the consternation of the North.
386 Generation Spy Scandal (Jan-Mar 2007) This is the continuation of the 386 Generation Spy Scandal from 2006. The investigation was curtailed as it started to approach the steps of Cheong Wa Dae. The tendrils reached into the DLP and politics and threatened to spread throughout the government agencies as former activists had been increasingly appointed by the Roh administration into government positions. The investigation threatened to spread into the Uri Party and government appointees. At that point, the investigation was stopped and the evidence supposedly showed that this was only a small group which did not gather sensitive information. In Jan 2007, the suspects were arraigned, tried and convicted in Mar 2007. (SEE 386 Generation Spy Scandal: Korean-American Spy master (Oct-Nov 2006).) (See related article Stripping Michael Jang (Jang Min-ho) of US citizenship??? (Jan 2007) on how Michael Jang could lose his citizenship.)
Presidential Pardons: A farce with "Get Out of Jail Free" Cards (2007) When Roh Moo-hyun entered office, he pledged he would rein in the pardons. Instead, he became the greatest get out of jail administration. Chaebol bosses who embezzled millions -- and in cases billions of dollars -- were allowed to get out of jail because of the "service they did for the country." Politicians and cronies who were sent to jail for illegally obtaining millions of dollars in campaign contributions were let out of jail. The whole system was a farce where the little guy was placed in jail because of the debtor system the ROK has -- while the big fish swam free.
Lee Myeong-bak's Grand Canal Scheme (2007) -- Lee Myeong-bak's vision of a grand canal ran into strong opposition as soon as it was announced. Though he has triend to link it to improving tourism and stating that most of it would be funded by private money, the environmentalists, Buddhist sects and lawyer groups have all joined in growing dissent.
International Events: 2006 -- International news items of general interest that impact on Korea life or general impressions. Comfort Women resolution in Congress. Korean Education Refugees. Book controversy.
International Events: 2007 -- International news items of general interest that impact on Korea life or general impressions. The following are some of the major stories of interest.
Stripping Michael Jang (Jang Min-ho) of US citizenship??? (Jan 2007) -- Michael Jang (Jang Min-ho) convicted of spying for DPRK in ROK in Apr 2007. But he was a spy BEFORE he joined the US Army, he was a spy DURING his USFK service at Yongsan, and he was a spy WHEN he became a US citizen. There are precedents for him being stripped of his citizenship.
Business, Finance and Labor Events: 2008 -- Xenophobic business environment and failure of the Roh administration economic policies continued with promises of Lee Myeong-bak to turn things around with a pro-business administration. The world was watching...
US-ROK Fair Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations (2006) -- Starting with the Movie Quota issue and moving on, the FTA was a bumpy road at best with farmer riots and disputes on cars, pharmaceuticals, beef and rice leading the list of contested areas.
US-ROK Fair Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations (Jan 2007 -- ???) -- The protectionist, chaebol controlled economy struggles to preserve its protectionist practices while the US plays hardball demanding change to what is "fair." In 2006, the chaebols were frustrated that they would be included under the FTA. Unfortunately, the Koreans view it as a giveaway. Skeptics do not believe it will meet the 2 Apr deadline -- and storm clouds ahead in US Congress over auto and beef issues. At the end of 2007, the ratification of the FTA by both the National Assembly and Congress was still hanging in the balance. The Boneless Beef row still had not been resolved and the auto makers in America were still protesting the unfairness of Korea's "hidden" tariffs.
Boneless Beef Row (Jan 2007 -- ???) -- The ROK actions to block US beef in favor of Australian and New Zealand beef reached extremes since it first blocked the beef under claims of mad cow disease in 2003. Though not on the table for the FTA, it became one of the make-or-break items of the agreement.
Lone Star Affair (2006) -- Xenophobic business environment created by Roh Moo-hyun and witch-hunts to retroactively punish "offenders" who dared make a profit in Korea -- as well as xenophobic policies to prevent foreign companies from gaining management control.
Lone Star Affair (Jan 2007 -- ???) -- Xenophobic business environment created by Roh Moo-hyun through the National Tax Service (NTS), Fair Trade Commission (FTC) and Prosecutors' Office. The sale of the Lone Star assets were continually under fire. The sale of the KEB was held up by the ROK trial over the illegal profit taking alleged by the ROK government. The saga would continue into 2008. However, the bottomline is that FDI is down in Korea because of the xenophobic fervor of the Roh administration. In Feb 2008, the conviction of Lone Star for manipulating stock prices to purchase the KEB sealed the fate of the falling FDI as the investment world watched the "fair trial."
Hyundai Scandal (Jan 2007 -- ???) -- An example of the excesses of power where the Chung Moo-koo's embezzles company funds and manipulates stocks to give control to his son. Convicted, he attempts to wiggle out of jail time because he is "needed" to guide his company. In Mar 2008, he was reelected to the Board of Directors for another three years.
Samsung Slush Fund Scandal (Oct 2007 -- ???) In late 2007, a former high level executive of Samsung "confessed" to the slush funds of the President of the Samsung Corportation. The funds were allegedly used to secure stock that allowed the illegal transfer of control to the son. Though Samsung denied the allegations and threatened everyone involved, it became apparent that the allegations were true. A special counsel was appointed to investigate the matter after it was alleged that the highest ranks of the Roh administration -- including the prosecutors office -- were part of a payoff list. The prosecutors office stopped their investigation because the independent counsel appointed by President Roh would continue the investigation into 2008.
Political Events: 2006 - 2007 -- The on-going "soap opera" of political scandals and the declining power of the Uri Party and slow return to power of the Grand National Party (GNP). The political wranglings as the Presidential race of 2007 heated up. The disintegration of the Uri Party and formation of the UNDP. The total rejection of the Progressive movement with the election of Lee Myeong-bak in Dec 2007.
Political Events: 2008 -- Starting with the transition teams complete rejection of the Roh administration with the dismantling of the old Roh administration, the battle lines were formed even before Lee Myeong-bak took office on 25 Feb. In addition, there was the in-fighting of the Park Geun-hee faction to keep from being ousted by the GNP in the Apr 2008 elections -- over the rejection of politicians who had previously served jail time.
Pyeongtaek Area and Korea Military Events: 2006-2008
Pyeongtaek Area Events (2006) -- Events including the Protests and Camp Humphreys buildup; Short history of Camp Humphreys.
USFK Military Events (2006) -- Items impacting the USFK Korea-wide, including changes in the US-ROK alliance and transition of 2d ID to Camp Humphreys
USFK Military Events (2007-2008) -- Items impacting the USFK Korea-wide, including changes in the US-ROK alliance and transition of 2d ID to Camp Humphreys. Still pending issues of disagreement are the cost-sharing negotiations and the WRSA-K ammunition issues. The USFK continues to "downsize" its role in a very low-key manner by shifting units to Camp Humphreys and out of country. The handing over of wartime control in 2012 still fraught with a lot of landmines by the ROK as they continue to underfund their military improvement programs ... the biggest being the reliance on the US for their Missile Defense (PAC-3) and intelligence as their C4I system does NOT work.
Cost Sharing Fiasco Continues -- The relocation plans to Pyeongtaek hinge on the ROK Cost-sharing formula under the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) and instituted in 1991 for the FIRST TIME. South Korea paid $622 million in direct costs to support USFK in 1991 -- but refused to increase its cost share in 2005 and 2006. The US position has remained that the ROK has NOT paid its fair share -- and want it to increase it to 50 percent of the costs. The ROK position is that the US is reducing its forces and therefore should be reduced. It remains up in the air. The deadline for settling this issue is Oct 2008 before the SCM.
USFK Organizational Chart -- Chart of the changing organizational structure of the USFK. Chart includes commentary of the current ROK-US situation of turning over wartime control to the ROK and inform ation on ROK counterparts ability to accept the missions. Chart also contains information on the LPP program that will impact the on-going reorganization of the USFK. Chart also includes the Army Installation Management Agency - Korea (IMA-K) information that has changed the areas into garrisons. (NOTE: Because the USFK information is behind a firewall, information to update the chart is sporadic at best.)
USFK-ROK Dispute on LPP Camp Return over Pollution Issue: 2006-Present -- Pollution disagreement between US-ROK impacts upon the return of camps to the ROK. The ROK reluctantly took back its camps "as is" after a face-off with the USFK -- that came down to what the ROK agreed to in the SOFA but wanted renegotiated to get a "Super-Fund" type of deal where the US would pay for cleanup beyond known, imminent threat levels. This did NOT happen.
ROK Military Events: 2006-Present -- ROK "Self-reliant" defense buildup and return of wartime control. The continuing dissolution of the CFC and the disagreements on relocation costs, cost-sharing, time-tables and LDP camp returns. ROK actions that impact on the move from Yongsan to Camp Humphreys. The ROK continues to expand on its indigenous cruise missiles -- in violation of the MTR -- there is much concern of the reliability of the missiles. The ROK is also attempting to develop its own space program -- along with military applications for its dual-purpose satellites. The ROK is also attempting to break into the arms dealers role with its new personnel carriers, K-2 tanks and A-50 trainer/attack jets. The ROK continues to attempt to build its "blue-water" Navy -- but at the expense of its coastal defense fleet.
Japan-US Realignment: 2006-Present -- Japanese events that are shaping the future of the ROK-US alliance as the Japan seeks to change Article 9 of the Peace Constitution. The continued push for the Missile Defense System that includes PAC-3 deployments around major cities and SM-3 on its Aegis cruisers. Funding of the move to Guam still "iffy" in some areas and the relocations of USFJ is in the works. The major item is that Camp Zama will house the I Corps to take over the regional contingency role -- as the USFK moves out of that role.
North Korea
North Korea Background -- Book review that gives a snippet view of key areas of concern.
North Korean Events: 2007 -- Starting in 2006, the on-going "soap opera" of North Korean intrigue with counterfeiting and drugs; nuclear disarment; and the continuing ROK aid to the North. Actions of the US to play "hardball" with the North at the six-party talks, while the North refuses to negotiate.
North Korean Events: 2008 -- The new year loomed with promises of famine as the DPRK once again reneged on its denuclearization promises.
North Korea Counterfeiting: 2007-2008 -- Chronology of events starting in 2006. North Korean counterfeiting which the South sandbags, while the US exerts financial sanctions. North makes the lifting of financial sanctions a demand before it will discuss its nuclear program in the six-party talks.
North Korea Nuclear Test and Sanction: 2007-2008 -- North Korean last resort card to treat the nuclear test as defensive ploy and demands to be recognized as a nuclear power. After first test in Oct 2006, the US expected a second test as the North sought to be considered a full-fledged nuclear power. After lifting of financial sanctions, North again makes demands. Energy package negotiated. North misses deadline for nuclear declaration in Dec 2007 but six-party talks continue -- with North still on US terrorist list.
North Korea Missile Crisis: 2007-2008 -- The 1998 missile test across Japanese Air Space was a wakeup call, and the 4 Jul 2006 multiple missile firing into the East Sea hardened the Japanese stance. However, the ROK claims their "brothers" would never target South Korea.
Miscellaneous Topics:
Roh Moo-Hyun: Anti-American or Radical Reformist? -- Comparison of Roh in 2004 and 2006 his failures and successes. His legacy was a summit where he gave away Korea to achieve it -- and a pending ROK-US FTA that was in deep trouble. After five years of recession -- that his administration denied for three years, in 2007 the ROK was in a state of stagflation. His cabinet level ministers abounded with allegations of corruption -- with many still under investigation. In 2007, his policies were resounding rejected by the ROK populace. However, in the future, there most certainly be further investigations of the actions of the Roh administration while in office. Pending were the bribery allegations against the prosecution, police and Roh administration from the Samsung slush funds. (On-going)
Lee Myeong-Bak: Conservative CEO Reformist -- Lee starts his administration in Feb 2008 with complete revamping of the government -- including shutting down ministries, reducing the Prime Minister's power, centralizing power in the Blue House, trashing the Ministry of Education policies, opening the doors to big business (with some restraints) -- and most importantly eliminating the Unification Ministry with its close ties to North Korea. Massive changes are due in the society from his actions but no one knows what will happen. (On-going)
Tokdo is OURS!!! -- The on-going international feud between Japan and Korea that started in 1954 -- and continues till today. (On-going)
Spies, Espionage & Infiltrators: -- Personal Opinion on the Spy Situation in Kunsan -- and Korea in general after the Kim Dae-jung administration took power. 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. Robert Kim -- American traitor & ROK hero. (Sources footnoted) Covers history of communism in Cholla Provinces; list of coastal infiltration with methods of infiltration and vehicles used. (Posted: 24 May 2004)
The Extended Link Index is at Links Index for links to Songtan sources, newspapers, personal links, etc.
