[Editorial] No Reason to Delay Iraq Withdraw

"You cannot exclude the possibility that there could be a terrorist attack in Korea, as Al Qaeda's second in command threatened all countries with troops in Iraq. Terrorists could target large buildings, easily entering Korea like in Spain or the UK."

"Apart from consuming $300 billion and many thousands of lives (including more than 1,850 U.S. soldiers), the attempt to tutor Iraqis on their journey to American-style freedom has… exacerbated political dysfunction. Wisdom requires that the Bush administration call an end to its misbegotten crusade."

The first quote is from a Pakistani journalist who specializes in Al Qaeda, and the second is from an opinion piece by Boston University professor Andrew Bacevich. The thinking is that the Bush Administration's Iraq policy is "mission impossible" and so troops should be quickly withdrawn, while the terrorist threat for nations with troops remaining in Iraq continues to grow. Most of the people of the world know as much. Even within the United States approval of the Bush Administration's Iraq policy is no more than around 40 percent. That is why almost all nations that sent troops to Iraq have either completely withdrawn or have plans to.

There's one country, however, that's acting unconcerned. That country would be Korea. Recently National Defense Minister Yun Gwang Ung said he would extend the time Korean troops are in Iraq (their current tour of duty ends at the end of this year). The government and ruling party say they are considering reducing 3,200 troops there by 1,000. Why reduce the number of Korean troops in Iraq instead of withdrawing them? Are they going to continue to push the issue along, as if nothing is the matter, having sent them carelessly to begin with? Do they want to bear the full burden of America's failed Iraq policy until the very end? The government and ruling party are frustrating to watch as they think so lightly of the national interest and public opinion.

The Hankyoreh, 6 September 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]