On June 25th 1950 the Cold War turned hot. A large North Korean force invaded South Korea with the moral backing of the Soviet Union. Dean Acheson, US Secretary of State, had placed Korea outside of America’s defense perimeter in Asia and Kim Il Sung took this as a sign that South Korea was ripe for the taking. The US quickly responded, sending a detachment of soldiers known as Task Force Smith from Japan. This small under-equipped and vastly outnumbered blocking force was quickly swallowed up by the massive North Korean communist army. Thus began a war that would last for three years and consume the lives of 36,000 Americans with another 103,000 wounded. The war would end just where it began with both sides staring each other down across the 38th parallel. The US military never left Korea. Today over 29,000 servicemen and women protect prosperous South Korea from their destitute kin in the north.  

With the economic situation as it is, now would be the moment to begin to engage North Korea in a lasting peace to eliminate the threat of war between the two Koreas. South Korea, since the war, has had one of the most effective armies in the region. Stories of South Korean bravery in action alongside the US military during the Vietnam War is legendary. South Korea’s industry is progressive and it is time they begin to use this wealth to provide for their own defense. Fifty Eight years has been enough of a buffer for South Korea. This is not to say we wouldn’t come to their aid if North Korea got obstreperous but the time of the current large scale US commitment in Korea has passed. The United States could use those assets elsewhere and the drag on our budget is high. Coming in at number six is a need to draw down our forces in South Korea.