As South Korea’s military transitions to full operational control, it’s important to remember the past 60 years of U.S. commitment to the country and to not waver in that support, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen talked yesterday with servicemembers and defense civilians at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, Korea.

He spoke about his earlier meetings with his South Korean counterpart, citing “tremendous change” on the horizon. The Korean military is expected to assume a larger defense responsibility there in April 2012.

The alliance will only get stronger, the chairman said, with continued commitment from the United States.

The U.S.-South Korea alliance dates to the Korean War in 1950. An armistice was signed in July 1953 with North Korea, unofficially ending the war. The United Nations and U.S. military have maintained a presence in South Korea since then.

“Sometimes you don’t think about this, but you are here as a part of that, and sometimes we don’t think about how significant that alliance is in terms of preserving the freedom, preserving the democracy that is here in the Republic of Korea,” Mullen said. “We are very much supportive of executing and sustain that alliance.”

Mullen spent the previous two days with his Korean counterparts reviewing the changes and specifics of their alliance. For the U.S. military stationed there, that means a smaller U.S. footprint. Within the next 10 years, the 28,000 servicemembers that make up U.S. Forces Korea will be cut roughly by 14,000. However, there will be more command-sponsored families and new infrastructure to accommodate them, he said.

In December, about 1,700 U.S. troops with families were there. The number has since grown to 3,100. The chairman said that by the end of 2010 there would be about 4,500 families, noting that the Defense Department is planning to normalize three-year tour lengths there.

“That’s a big undertaking, and it’s difficult,” the admiral said. “We’ve got to get the schools in, we’ve got to get the housing in, [and] we’ve got to have the entire infrastructure in the peninsula upgraded to make sure that we are ready for that transition.”

Mullen also talked about changes occurring with the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. and NATO forces are in their ninth year of fighting in the Middle East, but where there was once doubt in Iraq, security is sustained and Iraq now can focus on building its government capacity, he said.

“Most of what’s left in Iraq, quite frankly, is politics,” he said. “When they have the elections in January, we start a pretty rapid drawdown in the March timeframe … from 120,000 troops to about 35,000 to 50,000 less than a year from now.

“There was no group that made a bigger difference than men and women in uniform,” he said of the progress made in Iraq. “I’m extremely grateful for your service, for the difference … and the sacrifices that you make.

He added that all U.S. forces will be out of Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011, allowing more focus on securing and building a democracy in Afghanistan.

Families also share in the sacrifices servicemembers make in the name of freedom and democracy, the admiral said. Mullen’s wife, Deborah, met with spouses there during their visit and also is meeting with spouses of troops in Japan today.

“We try to do this wherever we go to understand what the challenges are for the families,” he said. “We couldn’t do it without family support, so [family] is a big focus for me.”

Mullen credits leadership at all levels within the military for its ability to adjust to the persistent conflicts throughout the world. America values the combat experience of today’s military, and maintaining that knowledge is critical to the future armed forces, he said.

“If we don’t do that well, we will in fact be in a much more difficult situation at a time where things are changing and the pace will continue for the foreseeable future,” he said. “Lead exceptionally well. It’s an enormously challenging time.”

The following is the text of a joint communiqué issued in Seoul, Korea, on Oct. 22, 2009:

1. The 41st Republic of Korea – United States Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held in Seoul on October 22, 2009.  ROK Minister of National Defense Kim, Tae Young and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates led their respective delegations, which included senior defense and foreign affairs officials.  Before the SCM, the Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Lee, Sang-eui and the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, presided over the 31st ROK-U.S. Military Committee Meeting (MCM) on October 21, 2009.

2. The Minister and the Secretary reaffirmed the commitment of the ROK and U.S. Presidents to build a comprehensive strategic Alliance of bilateral, regional and global scope, based on common values and mutual trust, as set forth in the Joint Vision for the Alliance of the ROK and the U.S. on June 16, 2009.  They also agreed to closely cooperate to implement and build upon the Joint Vision through continued development of measures for the direction of ROK-U.S. defense cooperation, thereby further strengthening the Alliance for the 21st Century.

3. The Minister and the Secretary reiterated that the ROK and the U.S. will not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapon state. They discussed North Korea’s missile and nuclear tests in April and May 2009 and recent short-range ballistic missile launches. The Minister and the Secretary reaffirmed these acts clearly violate UN Security Council resolutions and Six-Party Talks agreements; undermine the global non-proliferation regime; and constitute direct and grave threats to peace and stability not only for the ROK and regional neighbors, but also the entire international community.  The Minister and the Secretary agreed to closely cooperate on the full and faithful implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874, and to continue joint efforts to achieve the complete and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea in a peaceful manner through the Six-Party Talks.

4. Secretary Gates reiterated his support for the ROK Government’s efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula and develop inter-Korean relations for mutual benefits and common prosperity through dialogue, while making the denuclearization of North Korea a top priority.  The Minister and the Secretary agreed to further strengthen defense cooperation, ensuring combined readiness to effectively address future challenges and emerging needs in the security environment.  They reaffirmed the important role that the ROK-U.S. Alliance has in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

5. The Minister and the Secretary reaffirmed the two nations’ mutual commitment to the fundamental mission of the Alliance to defend the Republic of Korea through a robust combined defense posture, as well as to the enhancement of mutual security based on the Mutual Defense Treaty.  They also agreed that the ROK-U.S. Alliance remains vital to the future interests of both nations in securing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and stressed their determination to ensure sufficient capabilities of the combined forces for the security of the Republic of Korea.  Secretary Gates reiterated the firm and unwavering U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK using both capabilities postured on the Korean Peninsula and globally available U.S. forces and capabilities that are strategically flexible to deploy to augment the combined defense in case of crisis.  Minister Kim and Secretary Gates acknowledged this commitment is further demonstrated and strengthened by extending and normalizing tour lengths for all service members assigned to Korea to three years, along with the commitment to maintain the current U.S. troop level in Korea.

6.Secretary Gates reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to provide extended deterrence for the ROK, using the full range of military capabilities, to include the U.S. nuclear umbrella, conventional strike, and missile defense capabilities.  Minister Kim conveyed his appreciation for the U.S. commitment and both sides agreed to work closely together to enhance the effectiveness of extended deterrence.

7. The Minister and the Secretary agreed to consult closely on the future combined force posture, making enhancements as necessary, to ensure that robust forces and capabilities are available to deter aggression against the ROK and defend against that aggression should deterrence fail. They also agreed to cooperate to maintain appropriate preparedness to implement the shared vision of regional and global contribution in support of mutual security interests.

8. The Minister and the Secretary agreed that the ROK-U.S. Alliance plays a significant role in fostering the peace, stability and prosperity in the region.  They further agreed to work jointly to develop cooperative relations and to promote multilateral security cooperation in the region and globally, highlighting the important role that regional partners play in helping advance mutual interests of both the ROK and the U.S.

9. The Minister and the Secretary agreed that the ROK and the U.S. will continue to enhance close Alliance cooperation to address wide-ranging global security challenges of mutual interest, including through peacekeeping activities, stabilization and reconstruction efforts, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.  In this regard, Secretary Gates expressed appreciation for the ROK’s continued support to promote peace and stability in areas such as the Gulf of Aden and Lebanon.  Minister Kim also expressed his appreciation for the U.S.’ active support to enable the Korean military unit deployed to the Gulf of Aden to successfully conduct its missions.  Secretary Gates noted with appreciation the Korean government’s May 26, 2009 endorsement of and participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) as a significant demonstration of cooperation in the global effort to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), acknowledging the importance of mutual support and cooperation on PSI-related activities, including exercises and information -sharing.

10. The Minister and the Secretary received a report on the results of the ROK-U.S. Military Committee Meeting from the Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), General Walter L. Sharp, which highlighted that the combined defense posture is capable and ready to “Fight Tonight,” and that it is prepared to effectively respond to any threat or provocation.

11. Having agreed with the CFC Commander’s report that the transition of wartime OPCON of ROK military forces is proceeding smoothly and on schedule, and in accordance with the Strategic Transition Plan (STP), the Minister and the Secretary reaffirmed their intent for the transition to occur on April 17, 2012.  They also reaffirmed that the implementation of the STP will be regularly assessed and reviewed at the annual SCM/MCM, with a close eye on North Korean threats, and reflected in the transition process.   In this regard, they further noted the importance of the OPCON Certification Plan in ensuring the transition is implemented methodically to validate that the combined defense posture remains strong and seamless.  The Minister and the Secretary praised the successful results of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise held in August 2009 as a demonstration of the capabilities of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff in leading the combined warfight.  The Minister and the Secretary agreed to receive Interim Certification Reports and Final Certification Report at the SCMs until the transition is completed.

12. To ensure that the combined defense remains robust, the Secretary reaffirmed that the U.S. will provide specific and significant bridging capabilities until the ROK obtains full self-defense capabilities.  Secretary Gates further noted the U.S. commitment to contribute U.S. enduring capabilities to the combined defense for the life of the Alliance.  Additionally, the Minister and the Secretary agreed that the two militaries have made substantial progress on the development of military plans and strategic documents related to a range of situations to ensure the combined defense is prepared for an effective response.  They agreed to continually conduct combined exercises for the maintenance, development, and readiness of a strong combined defense posture, both during the transition of wartime OPCON as well as afterwards.

13. The Minister and the Secretary received a report on the results of the ROK-U.S. Security Policy Initiative (SPI) meetings over the past year, and expressed satisfaction that, through close consultations, the ROK and the U.S. are making significant progress on important issues in further developing the Alliance, including: ensuring an effective combined defense, proceeding with the implementation of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) relocation and camp returns, and articulating a shared future vision for the Alliance.  The Minister and the Secretary agreed to continue SPI consultations in 2010 and beyond, based on the significant accomplishments of the past five years and the mutual desire to continue to enhance the ROK-U.S. Alliance.

14. The Minister and the Secretary acknowledged the progress on USFK base relocation and camp returns.  The Minister and the Secretary agreed to work closely together to complete successfully base relocation and camp returns, noting that the efficient and effective completion of these cooperative joint efforts are in the best interest of both nations.  The Minister and the Secretary agreed to minimize challenges and to strive for rapid completion of the Yongsan Relocation Plan (YRP) and Land Partnership Plan (LPP).  The Minister and the Secretary expressed satisfaction with the agreement on the Joint Environmental Assessment Procedure (JEAP), established in March 2009 to facilitate bilateral cooperation for camp returns, noting that the JEAP is expected to be successfully applied to complete the return of seven facilities, including Camp Hialeah, by the end of the year.

15. The Minister and the Secretary expressed satisfaction with the 8th Special Measures Agreement (SMA), signed on January 15, 2009, effective from 2009 to 2013. Secretary Gates offered his appreciation to the ROK, emphasizing that the ROK’s host nation support significantly contributes to a stable stationing environment for USFK.  The Minister and the Secretary shared the view that the new SMA will play an important role in enhancing the combined defense posture and strengthening the Alliance.  Both sides agreed to work closely together to implement the recently agreed in-kind contribution program.

16. Secretary Gates expressed sincere appreciation to Minister Kim for the courtesy and hospitality extended to him and his delegation by the Government of the Republic of Korea, and for the excellent arrangements which contributed to the success of the meeting.  The Minister and the Secretary agreed that the discussions during the 41st SCM and 31st MCM contributed substantively to strengthening the ROK-U.S. Alliance and further enhanced the development of the bilateral defense relationship into a comprehensive strategic Alliance.  Both sides agreed to hold the 42nd SCM in Washington, D.C. at a mutually convenient time in 2010.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks to U.S. and Republic of Korea Soldiers during a town hall meeting on Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul, South Korea.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen was in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Monday to get a progress report from U.S. commanders and local leaders.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has already received more than 90,000 applications for new benefits offered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

U.S. forces are withdrawing from the southern Iraqi city of Basra, with fewer than 200 Soldiers remaining to support Iraqi security forces.

Master Sergeant Chester Ovnond and Major Dale Bice are being remembered as the first killed in action during the Vietnam War.

The Commander of U.S. Forces Korea says recent provocations from North Korea have only served to strengthen ties between the U.S.
and South Korea.

A U.S. commander in Iraq says some extremist elements still exist, but Basra now has a sense of optimism thanks to the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces.

Once again, I am going to be redundant here.  Any sanctions proposed by members – and nonmembers, for that matter – of the United Nations Security Council against any rogue nation do not work.  No way, no how. 

But nonetheless, the U.N. is going back to a classic method in their playbook as it appears that on Wednesday (today), five members, Japan and South Korea (a non-member) have agreed in principle on the text of a draft U.N. resolution that would expand sanctions (there’s that word again) against North Korea for its recent nuclear test and weapons program.

The resolution will be discussed this morning – if it hasn’t already – with a vote to take place on Friday; as we all know, North Korea has been issuing threats about what they intend to do should actual sanctions take place.  Last Monday, the NorKors said that they will consider any sanctions against them a declaration of war and will respond to it with “due corresponding self-defense measures; meanwhile, on Tuesday, they went even further – saying they will use nuclear weapons in a “merciless offensive”, if provoked.

In the draft resolution, which was sent to the aforementioned seven governments last Friday, it advocates the following:

• Curtailing North Korea’s financial dealings with the outside world.
• Freeze additional assets of additional companies.
• Expand an arms embargo.
• Authorize searches of ships on the high seas suspected of carrying arms and banned weapons to the North if the country whose flag the vessel is flying gives consent.

In addition, the draft states that if the country does not give its consent – which would be the case if the vessel is North Korean – the country will “direct the vessel to proceed to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection by the local authorities”. 

Furthermore, the draft demands a halt to further nuclear tests or missile launches and reiterate the council’s demand that North Korea abandon all nuclear weapons, return to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, allow U.N. nuclear inspections and rejoin six-party talks designed to dismantle its nuclear program.  Lastly, the draft would have the Council condemn “in its strongest terms” North Korea’s nuclear test “in violation and flagrant disregard” of the sanctions resolution it approved after their first nuclear test back in October 2006.

Lots of demands, resolutions and stuff to throw at the North Koreans, who I expect to ignore this ultimatum.  It is almost like they have this “death wish” mentality about themselves and the overall direction they are taking.  But again, the NorKors think they’re above the law.  So any aggression that they display will not come without consequences.  But there’s a slight problem – China and Russia are hesitant to go along with these provisions as previously stated.

One can state the case that because of their close proximity to the North Korean borders, they are relatively easy targets for missiles and nuclear weapons coming from North Korea.  But isn’t that what anti-missile defense systems are for?  Meanwhile, just the fact that both countries are in partnership with the NorKors seems to tell me that they are at least complicit to anything the NorKors plan to do in the future.  IN other words, both nations have at least a financial stake in North Korea – and quite possibly more.

I really feel – and I have said it on more occasion both here at The Republican Temple website and internet radio broadcasts – that sanctions against Pyongyang are ineffective.  The North Koreans are hell-bent on their own demise, and it is just a matter of time before a military solution will be the only alternative left on the table.  This doesn’t mean that I abdicate military involvement as the  way to go, but what else is out there?

Sanctions?  Never heard of’em.  Threats?  They don’t want to be bothered with’em.  At least that’s the mindset of the North Koreans as of late as it appears that they are preparing yet another long-range missile - one that is believed to have the capability of reaching Alaska.  The location of this missile?  On its west coast, roughly about 40 miles from the Chinese border city of Dandong.

With this launch, which could take place when South Korean president Lee Myung-Bak meets with President Obama on June 16.  To detail exactly what is going on, acording to South Korean news accounts, the North Koreans have transported a long-range missile to a newly completed launch pad; meanwhile, South Korea is studying an intelligence report in which the North Koreans are ordering troops along their west coast to double their stocks of ammunition.

In addition, North Korea has designated a large area off its west coast a “no sail” zone through the end of next month – which would be significant because the NorKors have never launched a long-range missile from the northwestern base.  The missile believed to be used for this launch is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with a range of about 4,000 miles.

This goes back to what I have said time and again – both here at The Republican Temple website and radio broadcast – the United States will have to get proactive with this situation.  The threat of sanctions has never worked with the North Koreans, not in the past, not right now nor will they in the future.

Speaking of sanctions, the United Nations – not unlike President Obama’s policies – are a joke.  When have their sanctions against any nation ever worked?  I ask that someone – anyone, for that matter – to show me some proof that sanctions coming from the UN have ever worked.  I’ve yet to see it.  But then again, they have their hands full, with their mission of creating a new world order.

I fully expect that a military solution will eventually happen since Obama opts to sit on his hands and do nothing (our military cannot do anything without the go-ahead from Obama).  I submit to you that it is a matter of not if a military conflict involving the North Koreans happen, but when it will happen.  You heard it here first, folks.

North Korea is reprising its role as the Asian bully wannabe yet again as they are threatening not only South Korea but the United States and other nations as well.  Specifically, the North Koreans went into a tirade, saying that they will punish us for threatening to punish them for conducting its second nuclear test.

They further added that it isn’t afraid of sanctions and that South Korea joining an operation to prevent the spread of weapons is a declaration of war.  And that’s not all, folks.  In addition to their maniacal rant, they have restarted its weapons-grade nuclear plant.  Intelligence reports have shown that steam was detected at the Yongbyon nuclear complex – a good sign that the plant has reopened for business.

Here’s a bit of a recap for you.  Back in 2007, North Korea had stopped reprocessing fuel rods as part of an international deal; it had agreed to disable its Yongbyon reactor in exchange for aid; they had subsequently demolished a cooling tower at the plant.

As of right now, the North Koreans have about 8,000 spent fuel rods which, if reprocessed, could allow them to harvest between 13-18 pounds of plutonium – enough to make at least one nuclear bomb.  It is believed that the North Koreans have enough plutonium to make at least half a dozen bombs.  It gets better, folks; they have even went so far as to suggest that even more missile tests could be in the horizon as they have warned ships to stay away from their west coast until Wednesday (today).

I had already reported on the North Koreans’ most recent activities yesterday, which including missile launches and an underground nuclear test.  The North Koreans’ most recent provocations prove yet again – and I made this clear yesterday – that their current leader, Kim Jong-Il, needs to go.  I can’t put it any simpler.  He’s treading a dangerous path here, and if he continues his tyranny, North Korea may be in for a rude awakening.

And you can forget about any sanctions – past, present and future – that may be threatened and imposed by the United Nations.  They’re about as worthless as the toilet paper that they’re written on.  It’s just a damn shame that the citizens of North Korea are emasculated – powerless to do anything about their current situation.  It is common knowledge that North Korea is one of the poorest nations on Earth, and an isolated nation, to boot.  Yet the actions of Jong-Il and the military machine is going to, at this current rate, ensure that this country will be ran into the ground – literally.