here is where the troops are going to come from - S. Korea

[donsu]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/GA22Dg01.html


Lowering Old Glory in South Korea

The US flag has been lowered on more than a half-dozen deteriorating encampments for American soldiers who have kept armed vigil for more than five decades near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing South and North Korea.

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The flag came down at the end of last month. The US military plans incrementally to withdraw 12,500 of the approximately 37,000 service members by 2008. About 3,600 troops from the 2nd Infantry Division along the DMZ were dispatched to Iraq last summer and will not return to South Korea, and about 1,400 more were scheduled to leave last month.

The US military is also consolidating its bases and will move from Yongsan Garrison, a massive 255-hectare army base in the middle of Seoul, by 2008. The presence of a large US Army base in the country's capital has been a long-standing concern with some Koreans who see it as a slight to their sovereignty.

But that move also comes with a hefty US$4.9 billion price tag. South Korea's legislative body, the National Assembly, ratified the agreement that also calls for about $200 million in US financing for the move. The Korean government has said it will finance it through sales of the highly valuable land in central Seoul and by issuing government bonds.
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[BattyDem]

1. Shit!!! My niece's boyfriend is stationed in Korea.

They've talked about getting married. If he gets sent to Iraq and something happens ... oh f*ck, I don't even want to think about it. He's such a nice kid. This really sucks! :-( :grr: