USFK, Free from the North’s Long Distance Fire Range

Commander of U.S. Forces in Korea General Leon Laporte said 95-98 percent of U.S. Forces in Korea (USFK) would be able to stay out of the North Korea’s long distance fire range if USFK is redeployed to the southern side of the Han River.

Thomas B. Fargo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral said, “North Korea’s enriched uranium program not only suggests military threat but also the risk of WMD’s transfer to the hand of terrorists.”

The two have attended and testified to following in the U.S. House Armed Forces Committee on Wednesday.

The Worst Scenario—

Admiral Fargo explained that “their greatest fear is a scenario close to a nightmare where nuclear weapons would be sold to Al-Qaeda and would be used for terror” and continued saying, “The reason we have much concern for denuclearization in the Korean peninsula is because of such a possibility.”

Admiral Fargo also added, “We are closely monitoring the movements of the North Korean military but unlike two years ago, we see no possible threat of war in the Korean peninsula for the moment.” It seems the incident which Admiral Fargo mentioned as “two years ago” is describing the west sea battle

The Impeachment and U.S.-Korea Alliance—

In regards to the impeachment issue in Korea, General Laporte emphasized, “The constitutional process is progressing peacefully despite the threat of the North and the maintenance over civilian control regarding the military and the well response of the military all manifest maturity of Korean governing system.”

Admiral Fargo believes that “the impeachment situation isn’t affecting the bilateral military relationships between U.S. and South Korea,” and that, “The Korean government system is corresponding properly.”

Meanwhile, Admiral Fargo said that Kitty Hawk, the conventionally powered aircraft carrier deployed at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, will be replaced by an advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier around 2008.

maypole@donga.com