USFK`s Role As Tripwire is Bankrupt Concept

USFK Commander General Leon J. LaPorte (picture) condemned April 20 the term, `tripwire, the role of US 2nd Infantry Division stationed in Uijeongbu and Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province as a `bankrupt` concept. (Tripwire means US forces` automatic involvement in a war waged by the North.)

On that day, the USFK commander said, appearing on a MBC TV documentary program that `tripwire` is not only a negative term but also a derogatory one for US 2nd Infantary Division stationed in Korea. Furthermore, it is an old-fashioned concept.

He added, “With regard to North Korea`s military capability, its weapons system, particularly, missiles can attack us (referring to US and South Korean armed forces). We are within its missiles` range. He emphasized that it is inappropriate to call ` tripwire` military forces stationed in north of the Han River.

In addition, he said that the agreement between South Korea and the US on relocation of US forces (including US 2nd infantry division and forces based in Yongsan, Seoul) was not spurred by rising anti-American sentiment among Koreans.

Thomas C. Hubbard US Ambassador to South Korea echoed the remark made by the USFK commander appearing on the same TV program, “It is desirable to stop using the term, `tripwire` because it sounds like that we will helplessly wait and see until US forces are attacked.”

USFK Commander Laporte`s remark is drawing much attention because it is the first time for US commander to have made such a remark and coincides with the ongoing consultation between the two nations on the relocation of US forces in Korea.

His remark can be interpreted as a sheer denial to Seoul mayor Gho Kun`s proposal of maintaining the USFK`s role as a `tripwire` that he suggested at the beginning of last month as a part of the principles for the US forces` relocation.

Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com