NAPSNet Daily Report Friday, March 09, 2007
- 1. Introduction
2. Chosun Ilbo: ROK role in the world cannot be resisted
3. Ohmynews: Government must activate withdrawal program
4. Economic Daily: Deployment for national benefit
5. Kyunghyang News: ROK should get out of unjustifiable war
6. Hankuk Ilbo: Objectively examine the situation
7. Pressian: More incidents to come
8. Hankyoreh: Wartime control necessary for true cooperation
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1. Introduction
(“NAPSNet Weekly ROK Report”, ) This week’s report focuses on the death of Sargent Yoon Jang-ho, who was killed in the terrorist attack outside Bagram base in Afghanistan. Supporters of ROK troop deployment overseas argued that Yoon’s death, while tragic, symbolizes the sacrifice that must be made for the ROK to play its proper role in the world. Detractors used the incident to call for immediate troop withdrawal and, in some cases, a cancellation of future planned deployments in Lebanon. One commentator drew a connection between the incident and the ongoing controversy over the return of wartime command of the army to the ROK from the US.
2. Chosun Ilbo: ROK role in the world cannot be resisted
Chosun Ilbo (“IN TOKEN OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF SERGEANT YOON”, 2007-02-28) wrote that the ROK is asked to take a role in international society commensurate with its national power. The role cannot be resisted and will eventually grow larger. Every country that is now a major power in the world throughout the history have all taken the role. The danger will not hinder ROK youth from their future. One of the netizens commented “In order not to waste your devotion to Korea I, as a Korean will fulfill my duty.” It is the promise all we Koreans shall make.
3. Ohmynews: Government must activate withdrawal program
Ohmynews (“AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS NEEDED: CONFESSION OF A CONGRESSMAN IN GRIEF OF SERGEANT YOON”, 2007-03-02) wrote that Sergeant Yoon must be the last to be sacrificed. The troop deployment extension bill of 2007 must also be the last to be passed. Some conservative press stipulate that withdrawal would be succumbing to terrorism. Park Geun-hye, ex-representative of the Grand National Party, also commented “We must show firm and resolute stance of not giving into terrorists,” basically asserting that the deployment extension is continuing the fight against the terrorism. In these kind of people’s ideals, strife necessarily means military combat. The government should provide the people with situation there and activate a specific withdrawal program.
4. Economic Daily: Deployment for national benefit
Economic Daily (“DEPLOYMENTS MUST CONTINUE”, 2007-03-02) wrote in 2003 there was an incident in which due to war stress, a major shot a captain and there are recently ravings that the role of ROK soldiers is at best simple assistance. Because the extra deployment to Lebanon this July will expose soldiers to dangerous situations, the controversy seems to grow. The goal of an army’s existence is the national benefit and the sacrifice of Sergeant Yoon is also for the national benefit. Arguments that don’t take into account the issue of benefit only make Sergeant Yoon’s death into a waste.
5. Kyunghyang News: ROK should get out of unjustifiable war
Kyunghyang News (“ONLY EARLY WITHDRAWAL CAN PREVENT FURTHER DISASTERS”, 2007-03-02) wrote that what led Sergeant Yoon to death was unprepared protection measures of the national army regarding deployments abroad. Although the army recently ordered reinforced caution to the Zaitun army in Iraq, in reality, much of the protection measures are dependent on US army. The Taliban is with growing speed expanding its force supported by the people of Afghanistan. To Taliban, the ROK army can easily be misunderstood to be the same invader or its ally. However, to criticize Al Qaeda or the Taliban only is to see only a portion of the whole situation. Like the incident of Kim Sun-il who was killed by the terrorist in Iraq, we must see the essence of the situation. At the end of last year, the government agreed to send soldiers to Afghanistan and also prolonged the deployment until end of this year. In order to prevent further tragedy, the ROK must get out of this unjustifiable war on terrorism.
6. Hankuk Ilbo: Objectively examine the situation
Hankuk Ilbo (“THE SACRIFICE OF SERGEANT YOON AND ROK SOCIETY’S RESPONSIBILITY”, 2007-02-28) wrote that its is skepticism and self accusation that is aroused by the news of Sergeant Yoon and thousands of other youths the ROK sent to Afghanistan and Iraq in chaos. Until now, the Korean troops abroad have all stayed behind layers of wall to protect themselves, which is contradictory to their original goal of being there to peacefully help Iraq reconstruct. The sacrifice of Yoon made other realize how dangerous the work the peacekeepers are doing. Yet praising his devotion can easily turn out to be hypocrisy to hide flaws of our own. Before debating over ideals and national benefit, to objectively observe the situation and react is the responsibility of the ROK.
7. Pressian: More incidents to come
PRESSian (“AFGHANISTAN’S SITUATION, WAITING FOR THE SECOND YOON”, 2007-02-28) wrote that although very unfortunate, the incident sergeant Yoon faced was sooner or later bound to happen. The responsibility for this incidence lies with the government’s and the congressmen who supported the extension of deployment. It cannot be understood why the ROK youth must be sacrificed to help US take over Afghanistan with no limitation. Waiting for the withdrawal scheduled in the end of this year, there can be more damages like that of Yoon. The government must withdraw the army from Iraq, and also reconsider deployment to Lebanon. It is time the peace force and conscience force along with the public should prevent deployment and support withdrawal.
8. Hankyoreh: Wartime control necessary for true cooperation
Hankyoreh news (“FOR RECOVERY OF MILITARY SOVEREIGNTY”, ) wrote that on Dec. 1 1994, even some of the conservative Press that were against the transfer of peacetime military command claimed that since it is the ROK’s military sovereignty, wartime military command, as well must be reclaimed. It is getting back the military command given to the US in the Korean War that the ROK is supposed to have. The ROK must function as a military source for many other nations including those of UN. It is proper for the ROK military to have its sovereignty. The ROK can finally truly participate in cooperation with the US military regarding the DPRK and peace in Northeast Asia. Developmental and cooperative changes in military relations are expected.