Canada’s military (non-) presence in Korea

With the recent stirrings, and the sad departure of four during the escapades of the North, we have all been focused on military issues.

Canada’s non-response is almost definitely because we’re already spread thin in Afghanistan, but it did raise some curiosity in me. I’ve always wondered what exactly our military presence is here, and it turns out the Canadian military totals exactly… three (3). That would be a Colonel (an attaché with the UN Command), his assistant (a Sergeant), and a Major in the Korean Army Staff College (so says The Globe and Mail).

The briefing note indicates Canada’s military footprint in the Korean Peninsula today is very light. Canada’s defence attache to Seoul, a colonel, and his assistant, a sergeant, represent the country on the UNC. Canada’s defence attach in Tokyo represents Canada at the UNC’s “rear” headquarters in Japan. And Canada also contributes a major to the Korean Army Staff College.

Looking around, perhaps I have found the document which ties us (I think this is a good thing) and other members of the United Nations Command who took part in the Korean War to the defense of the peninsula.

“…We affirm, in the interests of world peace, that if there is a renewal of the armed attack, challenging again the principles of the United Nations, we should again be united and prompt to resist.”

Found on page 54 of
CANADA’S ARMY IN KOREA – THE UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS, l950-53, AND THEIR AFTERMATH: A SHORT OFFICIAL ACCOUNT BY THE HISTORICAL SECTION, GENERAL STAFF, ARMY HEADQUARTERS, OTTAWA. 1956 (from the Department of National Defence Directorate of History and Heritage)

This was signed on June 28, 1953 by those members of the United Nations Command who were included therein by default after participation in the Korean War. Does this mean Canada will have a presence sometime in Korea? Probably not. While “it is not inconceivable” (ibid)  that we could see a Navy ship show up, for now it’s just strong condemnations from Mr H. Besides, with the US military’s foothold here, is Canada even needed?

Sources:

New Korean war could ensnare Canada, documents suggest (The Globe and Mail)

Fallen marines laid to rest (The Korea Herald)

S. Korea-U.S. drills begin in Yellow Sea, as China’s talks proposal gets cold response (Yonhap)

CANADA’S ARMY IN KOREA – THE UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS, l950-53, AND THEIR AFTERMATH: A SHORT OFFICIAL ACCOUNT BY THE HISTORICAL SECTION, GENERAL STAFF, ARMY HEADQUARTERS, OTTAWA (Department of National Defence Directorate of History and Heritage)

From the Department of Propaganda: Heroes of the Cheonan

Here’s a memorial banner put up to honour the fallen heroes (영웅들) of the Cheonan (천안함) by the Yangcheon-gu Veterans Association (양천구  재향군인회) at the Omokyo intersection in Mokdong.

I am very sensitive to the issue of fallen soldiers, given Canada’s current participation in Afghanistan. I went to high school in an Army town, so I’ve seen school mates pictures show up in the casualties. I’ve also seen the huge motorcades driving from the airport to the Toronto morgue after they are flown back to Canada. But I’ve never seen these types of banners in Canada.

If you’ve been in Korea, you will have noticed a huge number of these memorial banners put up by various community groups / propaganda agencies (i.e. 바르게 살기 운동). I am interested in your thoughts about the significance of propagating the hero banners. As far I can tell they started going up around a week after the big incident, and have been multiplying ever since.

I can’t quite figure it out yet, but I am sure they’re trying to steer attention away from the (buried) stories about leaked Military documents which implicate the North.

What should not be overlooked among the hero-worship:

7 Minutes Missing from the Cheonan’s operational recording (No Cut News, Korean)

Military searches for Cheonan evidence (Korea Herald, English)

“Experts have raised the possibility that “Yu-3G” — a passive acoustic homing torpedo with a warhead weighing roughly 205 kilograms — may have been used in the disaster that has left 40 dead and six still unaccounted for.”

North Korea torpedoed South’s navy ship: report (Reuters)

Migun (미군) Watch

Uploaded by US Army Korea – IMCOM on 21 Jan 10, 11.44PM EST.

How do you feel about this as a content feature? Here’s the naughty things American soldiers have been up to recently.

Information comes from US Army IMCON-Korea. Specifically, their newsletter, “Morning Calm Weekly.” You can stay tuned to their updates at on Twitter @imcomkorea.

USAG – Red Cloud (mil)

Drunk and Disorderly; Failure to Obey Order or Regulation (2ID Alcohol Policy);

Subject #1 was observed by Military Police at and off post club and became disorderly when Military Police attempted to question her about a recent AWOL soldier. Subject #1 was warned her behavior world result in apprehension but did not cease her disorderly behavior. Subject continued her disorderly conduct and was later apprehended and transported by Military Police to the PMO. Subject #1 was administered a portable breathalyzer test with a result of 0.190% blood content.  Due to her level of intoxication, Subject #1 was processed and released to her unit with instructions to report to the PMO.  On Jan. 7, Subject #1 reported to the PMO where she was advised of her legal rights, which she waived rendering a written sworn statement admitting the offenses.  This is a final report.

USAG – Yongsan (wiki)

Larceny of Private Funds;

Unknown person(s), by unknown  means, entered a barracks room and  removed Victim #1’s 300,000 Won from  a desk drawer which was unsecured and  unattended, and then fled the scene.  A  search of the area for subject(s) and/or witness(es) met with negative results.  Victim #1 rendered a written statement attesting to the incident.  Estimated cost of loss is 300,000 Won.  This is a final report.

USAG – Humphreys (wiki)

Wrongful Damage to Government Property;

Unknown person(s) spray-painted the underside of a Chinook Aircraft, which was left unsecured and unattended.  Damages tothe Chinook Aircraft consisted of an area painted with red paint of graffiti stating obscenities and depicting obscene shapes.  A search of the area for subject(s) and/or witness(es) met with negative results.  Estimated cost of damage is unknown.  Investigation continues by Military Police Investigators.

USAG – Humphreys (wiki)

Larceny of Private Property; Larceny of Government Property;

Unknown person(s), by unknown means, removed Victim #1’s laptop computer, X-Box 360, webcam, two financial transaction cards, various coins, and an ACU assault pack, which were left secured and attended in Victim #1’s barracks room.  The unknown person(s) then fled the scene in an unknown direction.  Victim #1  rendered a written sworn statement attesting to the incident.  A search of the area for subject(s) and/or witness(es) met with negative results.  There were no signs of forced entry.  Estimated cost of loss is $1200.00.  Investigation continues by Military Police Investigators.

USAG – Daegu (mil)

Traffic Accident Without Injury; Hit and Run;

Unknown person(s), operating an unknown vehicle, struck Victim #1’s GOV, which was legally parked, secured, and unattended at unknown location.  Damages to Victim #1’s vehicle consisted of scratches and paint transfers to the left front bumper.  A search of the area met with negative results.  Victim #1 rendered a written sworn statement attesting the incident. Victim #1 was released on his own recognizance.  Estimated cost of damage is unknown.  Investigation continues by Traffic Accident Investigators.