Canada’s military (non-) presence in Korea
2010년11월28일 Leave a comment
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)
