76-17-A7
- Main Page \ Reagan Radio Commentaries \ 1977
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Korea I[edit]
Transcript[edit]Maybe I'm wrong but don't most of us have a preconceived idea about some of our overseas troops; that they are wearing the uniform to be seen but are, in truth, living a kind of sedentary life? It's easy to accept their possible withdrawal from foreign duty as pretty much just a transfer of lower echelon diplomats in olive drab. Common sense should tell us that isn't so. The Army doesn't operate that way. In South Korea, the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division stands astride a pair of valleys leading from the North toward the capital city of Seoul -- just 16 miles from the demilitarized zone. Those valleys have been the gateway to conquest of Korea for 2000 years. The armies of China and Japan have used them and, more recently, the proxy communist forces of the Soviet Union. Back through the years both China and Japan looked upon Korea as the highway of conquest between their two countries. And for well nigh to a century, Russia has thought of Korea as the key to its imagined security need in East Asia. Kim Il-Sung, the communist dictator of North Korea has made it plain that he intends to unify North and South Korea on his terms. There is no question that he could get logistical support from both Red China and Russia if he attacked -- just as he did in 1950. Neither one can afford to let the other be the sole ally of communist Korea. But, right now, Red China would not like to have to make that choice. Whether they say it or not, they want us to stay in Korea. Military authorities sum up the fear the South Koreans live with as understandable. If a surprise attack by massed armored forces were launched by North Korea in the night, they could be in Seoul by sun up even against American air power. But the story is different as long as they would have to defeat the Second Division. Those who want to withdraw those American troops say that an attack on them means automatic American involvement. Those who say they should stay, say their presence is a deterrent, preserving the peace. I believe all the evidence supports the view that the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division is indeed keeping the peace. If any should ask whether such a war between Asians is of importance to us, the answer is "yes". Korea is a dagger pointed at Japan, the third greatest industrial power in the world. A communist controlled Asia which included Japan would be a mortal threat to the U.S. Our danger would be as great as it would be if the Soviets breached the NATO line and conquered Western Europe. Some have used the economy line as a reason for withdrawing our forces but that doesn't make sense. The 2nd Division will cost as much and maybe much more based anywhere else -- unless they have in mind dissolving the Division. Last November, the Japanese Ambassador to the U.S., speaking in Minnesota, emphasized the importance of our forces in Korea. He makes this point in virtually every public utterance. He only says what his countrymen feel very deeply. They say the presence of the 2nd Division in Korea makes believable our pledge to defend Japan against nuclear attack. There has been so much misinformation fed to us about Korea lately that I'm going to stay on this subject in the next broadcast. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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