``Strengthening U.S. Military Forces in Korea``

U.S. lawmakers and the military experts suggested the strengthening the U.S. military forces in Korea and the reviewing of the revision of the U.S. administration`s military strategy to carry out effectively the `war on terrorism`.

General (Ret.) John Shalikanshvili, Former Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs and the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) board member and Senator Chuck Hagel released a report, `Strategic Asia 2001-2002: Power and Purpose` which analyzes the impact of the war on terrorism on the Asian strategy.

The report indicated that the strategic importance of the Korean Peninsula has been increased due to the war on terrorism and therefore the revision of the Bush administration`s military strategy that gives up `win-win strategy` is now in question.

The report also indicated that the terrorist attack on Sep. 11 may not change the North Korean policies of President Kim but it could shadow the sunshine policy and raise more serious questions about its efficacy.

According to the report, the increased cost of the U.S. military for the war on terrorism and the request for the withdrawal of the U.S. army in may regions will probably end up with the reduction of the U.S. military forces in the foreign countries. The report, however, anticipated that the Bush administration would not choose to reduce the U.S. military forces in Korea since such withdrawal of the U.S. army from Korea is only beneficiary for the North. The report also indicated that the U.S. administration would consider this incident as for the establishment of the Missile Defense system.

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com