Text Fwd: Pentagon review calls for Navy buildup

* Text sent from Bruce Gagnon on July 31, 2010

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/29/review-calls-for-buildup-of-navy/

Washington Times
July 29, 2010

Defense review calls for Navy buildup
Refocus urged for Pentagon
By Eli Lake


A bipartisan, congressionally mandated defense panel on Thursday challenged the Pentagon to broaden its focus beyond counterinsurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq and expand the Navy to deal with threats from rising powers in Asia.

The report by the independent panel, headed by former White House National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and former Defense Secretary William Perry, calls for the U.S. military to shift its long-term focus to five areas, ranging from "radical Islamist extremism and the threat of terrorism" to confronting "an accelerating global competition for resources."

The panel report also said U.S. maritime power should be increased to deal with "the rise of new global great powers in Asia," an indirect reference to China's growing military and political power. It said the U.S. military must prepare for the "continued struggle for power in the Persian Gulf and the greater Middle East" and "persistent problems from failed and failing states."

In reviewing the Pentagons Quadrennial Defense Review strategy, the panel, in recommendations made public on Capitol Hill, also said that the United States should merge the budgeting process for the military, intelligence and foreign-assistance spending.

To beef up U.S. maritime power in Asia, the report calls for expanding the Navy from its current fleet of 282 ships to 346 ships.

"In order to preserve U.S. interests, the United States will need to retain the ability to transit freely the areas of the Western Pacific for security and economic reasons," the report said.

"The United States must be fully present in the Asia-Pacific region to protect American lives and territory, ensure the free flow of commerce, maintain stability and defend our allies in the region. A robust U.S. force structure, one that is largely rooted in maritime strategy and includes other necessary capabilities, will be essential."

"The aging of the inventories and equipment used by the services, the decline in the size of the Navy, escalating personnel entitlements, overhead and procurement costs, and the growing stress on the force means that a train wreck is coming in the areas of personnel, acquisition and force structure," the report said.

The recommendation for a bigger Navy is at odds with the policies of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who has questioned the need for building up naval forces because they currently are unrivaled by any challengers.

"This latest QDR continues the trend of the last 15 years," the report stated in an introduction. "It is a wartime QDR, prepared by a department that is focused - understandably and appropriately - on responding to the threats America now faces and winning the wars in which America is now engaged."

However, the independent panel said instead long-term planning is needed in the five areas.

Rep. Ike Skelton, Missouri Democrat and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, echoed the independent panel's critique of the current Pentagon QDR.

Mr. Skelton said Mr. Gates "rightly in my opinion, focused his effort on winning the wars we are in today."

"But we cannot do that at the expense of preparing for the future, and there, I am concerned that the QDR came up a bit short."

Mr. Skelton's GOP counterpart on the committee, Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, California Republican, also praised the report.

"While it has become en vogue to bemoan the militarization of foreign policy, I think the report gets the balance correct," Mr. McKeon said. "You rightly state that 'the last 20 years have shown, America does not have the option of abandoning a leadership role in support of its national interests.' Military decline is not an option."

The Obama administration has recently asked the Pentagon to make cuts to some key weapons systems.

Asked about the report, Mr. Gates said on Thursday it has some "important contributions."

"They've made some suggestions that I think we need to follow up on," he said.

John Nagl, the president of the Center for a New American Security and a member of the independent panel, said he thinks the most important recommendation of the panel is the recommendation to make changes in the national-security planning and budgeting systems.

On the naval buildup, Mr. Nagl said: "Given the rising powers in Asia, we are going to have to continue policing the global commons and maintaining freedom of the seas."
===========================
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Text Fwd:[Translation] Joint Action's Letter on July 25, 2010

___________________________________________________________
* Below is the arbitrary translation. The original Korean statement written on July 25, 2010, can be seen HERE and in many organizations' sites including HERE. 'The Joint Action for the Truth Examination of the Cheonan Ship Incident and Peace in the Korean Peninsula (http://326true.net/) is a joint framework to examine the truth of the ‘sunken Cheonan ship incident’ that is full of suspicion and to realize the peace in the Korean peninsula. It started by 43 organizations on June 16, 2010' (translation from its introduction site)
___________________________________________________________


정전협정 체결 57년

Upon the 57th commemoration of the conclusion on the Ceasefire agreement

천안함 진실규명, 한미 군사훈련 중단,
평화협정 체결 촉구 서한

Letter to Call Upon the Truth Examination of the Cheonan Ship,
Stop of the ROK-US War Exercise
And Conclusion of the Peace Agreement

정전협정 체결 57년이 되는 올해, 한반도 일대의 군사적 긴장은 크게 고조되고 있다.

This year when the conclusion on the ceasefire agreement meets its 57th commemoration, the militaristic tension in the Korean peninsula is being immensely heightened.

천안함 침몰사건을 빌미로 한 대대적인 대북압박, 군사대결 정책으로 인해 군사분계선과 해상 경계선 일대에서 군사적 충돌 위험이 매우 높아졌다. 특히 오늘부터 동해에서는 1976년 판문점 위기 이후 최대규모의 해,공군 합동 한미연합 전쟁연습 ‘불굴의 의지’가 시작되었으며, 북측에서도 이에 대응하여 ‘물리적 대응’, ‘보복성전’을 경고하고 나섰다.

Because of the extensive oppression against North Korea and military confrontation policy, the danger of militaristic clash has been very heightened in the areas of the Military Demarcation Line and Maritime borderline. Especially from today, the joint ROK-US naval & air war exercise, ‘Invincible Spirit,’ which is the largest scale since the Panmunjeom crisis in 1976, has begun in the East Sea, and North Korea responded against it warning of ‘ physical response,’ and ‘sacred retaliation war.’

한반도 일대의 적대적 대결과 충돌은 남북 민중, 나아가 동북아 민중 모두의 평화적 생존권을 위협하는 일이다. 한반도 일대의 군사적 긴장을 없애기 위해서는 주한미군을 비롯한 전쟁무력을 없애고 평화협정을 체결하여 전쟁상태를 완전히 끝내고 공고한 평화체제를 구축해야 한다.

The hostile confrontation and clash in the area of Korean peninsula threatens the right to live in peace, of the people in South and North Korea and further of the people in the North East Asia. To get rid of the militaristic tension in the Korean peninsula zone, it is necessary to eliminate the war military power including the United States Forces of Korea; to conclude the peace agreement to completely end the status of war; and to establish the stable peace structure.

천안함 침몰 사건에 대한 모든 정보를 공개하고 전면적인 재조사를 실시하라!

Open all the information on the incident of the sunken Cheonan Ship and act on the whole reexamination on it!

천안함 침몰사건은 오늘날 한반도 일대의 군사적 대결과 충돌 위험을 고조시키는 핵심적 요인이 되고 있음에도 불구하고, 그 진상에 대한 안팎의 의혹이 해결되지 못한 채 날로 증폭되고 있다.

Even though the Cheonan ship incident is becoming today, the factor that intensifies the militaristic confrontation and possibly dangerous clash in the area of the Korean peninsula, the suspicions surrounding the truth of the [incident] have not been settled but rather increased daily.

천안함 침몰 사건 조사 발표 내용 중 이미 TOD 동영상 편집 조작, 사건 발생 시간 보고 조작, 설계도 관련 조작 등 숱한 조작들이 확인된 바 있으며, 어뢰 파편 흡착물 의혹, ‘1번’ 글씨 및 어뢰 파편의 부식 기간 의혹, 침몰 장소와 TOD 동영상 방위각 사이의 이격, 당시 진행된 한미 대잠수함 훈련 문제 등 많은 의혹들이 계속 쏟아지고 있다.

Among the announced content of the investigation on the sunken Cheonan ship, countless manipulations- such as those of the TOD movie editing, of the incident occurrence time, and of the related [North Korean torpedo] design draft- have already been clear, while there are pouring out many suspicions like- on an adhesive material on the torpedo fragment, ‘ 1 번’ (*pronounced il-beon, meaning NO. 1), the corrosion period in the torpedo fragment, sunken site, differently [identified] angle from the azimuth angles in the TOD movie, and the matter of ROK-US submarine exercise that was being processed at the time.

한미 양국은 더 이상 진상규명 요구를 외면하지 말고 천안함 침몰 사건에 대한 관련 정보를 모두 공개하고, 국정조사 및 남과 북이 함께 참가하는 공동조사 등 전면적인 재조사를 통해 한 점 의혹도 남김없이 진상을 규명하라!

The both ROK & US authorities should no more neglect the demand for the examination on the truth; should all open the information related to the sunken Cheonan ship; and should totally examine the truth without a suspicion left through a total reinvestigation such as the investigation on the government affairs and joint investigation in which the South and North join together!

대규모 한미연합 전쟁연습 즉각 중단하고, 대북 군사대결 정책 철회하라!

Immediately stop the large-scale ROK-US joint war exercise and withdraw the military confrontation policy against North Korea!

한미 양국은 오늘부터 동해 일대에서 항공모함 ‘조지 워싱턴’호, 이지스함 등 20여척의 함정을 비롯해 F-22 전투기 등 200여대의 항공기를 동원한 대규모의 해,공군 합동 훈련을 진행하고 있다.

From today, the both ROK-US nations are processing the large-scale naval-air joint drill in the area of East Sea, in which they mobilize the aircraft carrier, ‘George Washington,’ 20 naval vessels such as Aegis Destroyer, and 200 air crafts such as the F-22 fighter planes.

이번 훈련은 ‘천안함 대응조치’의 일환으로 진행되는 것으로서 은폐 조작된 진상조사 결과를 앞세워 실질적인 무력시위를 하겠다는 것에 다름 아니다. 한미 양국이 대대적인 군사훈련, 무력시위를 강행함에 따라 북측도 군사적 대응을 공언하고 나섰다. 힘과 힘이 충돌할 우려가 현실화되고 있는 셈이다.

This exercise is being processed as part of the ‘response measure on the Cheonan ship’ and it is nothing but that [the ROK & US are exposing their intention] that they are to do virtual military demonstration alleging a concealed and manipulated investigation of truth. As the both authorities of the ROK & US enforce the extensive military exercise & military power demonstration, the North Korea presented herself to declare that she would do the military response. The apprehension that power and power might clash each other is being realized.

그러나 미국 주도의 유엔안보리에서 조차 천안함 공격의 당사자가 북이라는 한미 양국의 주장이 수용되지 않았고, 아세안지역안보포럼(ARF)에서는 침몰에 대한 ‘규탄’ 언급도 빠져버렸다. 반면, 유엔안보리 의장성명과 ARF 의장성명에서는 ‘대화와 협상을 통한 평화적 해결’, ‘6자회담의 조속한 재개’를 권고하였다. 이것만이 한반도 일대에서의 군사적 충돌을 막고 실질적인 해결을 강제할 수 있기 때문이다.

However, even in the UN Security Council lead by the United States, the claim by the both authorities of the ROK & US was not accepted and in the Asian Regional Security Forum (ARF), even the mention of ‘denunciation’ was dropped out. On the other side, the UN Security Council Presidential Statement and ARF Presidential Statement recommended the ‘peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation,’ and ‘prompt resumption of the six party talks.’ It is because only those can block military clash in the Korean peninsula area and enforce the virtual settlement of it.

한미 양국은 평화를 파괴하고 군사적 충돌 위험성을 높이는 무력시위, ‘불굴의 의지’ 군사훈련을 즉각 중단하고, 대북 군사대결 정책을 철회하라!

The both authorities of ROK & US should immediately stop the military exercise, ‘invincible spirit,’ a military power demonstration that intensifies the danger of military clash and should withdraw the military confrontation policy against North Korea!

정전협정 폐기하고 평화협정 체결하라!

Abolish the Ceasefire Agreement and Conclude the Peace Agreement!

한반도 일대의 군사적 긴장상태가 해소되지 않는 것은 근본적으로 정전협정이 평화협정으로 전환되지 않고 있기 때문이다.

The reason that the situation of the militaristic tension in the Korean peninsula is not settled is fundamentally because the peace agreement is not being converted into the peace agreement.

전쟁이 일시 중단된 현재의 상태로는 언제라도 군사적 충돌이 일어날 수 있으며, 최악의 경우 전면전으로 비화될 위험성도 배제할 수 없다. 그 뿐 아니라, 이를 빌미로 한 주한미군 주둔과 패권적 한미동맹으로 인해 자주권과 평화적 생존권이 심각히 파괴되고 민중의 혈세가 빼앗기고 있다.

In the current situation when the war is temporarily paused, there could be militaristic clash any time and one cannot exclude the danger that it could expand into all-out war in the worst. Not only that, due to the stationing United States Forces of Korea and dominating ROK-US alliance, the right of self-reliance and right to live Peacefully are being seriously destroyed and people’s bloody tax are being gotten rid of.

6 자회담 당사국들은 9.19 공동성명에서 한반도의 영구적 평화체제 수립을 위해 별도의 포럼을 열기로 합의하였고, 지난 해 보즈워스 특사의 방북 이후 미국도 ‘평화협정 체결 협상’이 시작될 수 있음을 거론한 바 있는 만큼, 대북 압박을 즉각 중단하고 평화협정 협상에 나서야 한다.

The related parties of the six party talks have agreed with one another in 9.19 joint statement to hold a separate forum for the permanent peace system in the Korean peninsula and just as after Bosworth’s-the special envoy- visit to North Korea last year, the United States has mentioned that ‘the negotiation on the conclusion of the peace agreement’ could be started soon, the [United States] should immediately stop the oppression against North Korea and step forward to peace agreement.

이명박 정부 또한 북측 김계관 부상의 방미를 좌절시킨데 이어 리처드슨 뉴멕시코 지사의 방북을 가로막는 등 북미 간 접촉과 대화를 방해하는 시대역행적이고 치졸한 행태를 즉각 중단하고, 남북관계 개선과 한반도 평화를 위한 대화에 즉각 나서라!

The Lee Myung-Bak government should immediately stop the era-retrogressive and crude behavior that interrupts the contact & dialogue between North Korea & United States also, such as blocking the visit by Richardson- the State Governor of the New Mexico-to North Korea, after break-downing of the visit by Kim Kye Gwan-the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in North Korea- to the United States; and should immediately step forward for the improvement of the inter-Korean relationship and dialogue for the peace in the Korean peninsula!

한반도 일대의 평화가 크게 위협당하고, 대화와 협상의 전망이 극히 어두워져 있는 지금, 우리는 평화를 실현하기 위한 투쟁을 힘차게 전개할 것이다.

Now the peace in the area of the Korean peninsula is being seriously threatened and the prospect for dialogue and negotiation is immensely darkened, we will briskly unfold our struggles to realize peace.

우리는 우선 전쟁연습 기간인 오늘부터 28일까지 전국 각지에서 농성과 촛불시위, 기자회견과 1인 시위 등을 통해 한미연합군사훈련을 규탄하고 그 중단을 촉구하는 여론을 모아나갈 것이며, 앞으로 미군없는 평화협정 체결, 공고한 평화체제 구축을 실현하기 위해 각계의 실천을 계속 조직해 나갈 것이다.

In the first place, from today to 28th which is the war exercise period, we will denounce the ROK-US joint war exercise through nationwide sit-ins, candle protests, press interviews and one-man protests; will gather the public opinion to demand the stop of it; and in the future, we will continuously organize the practices from the various fields to realize the conclusion of the peace agreement [by which] the USFK [withdraw], and establishment of firm peace system.


2010년 7월 25일

July 25, 2010

천안함 사건 진실규명과 한반도 평화를 위한 공동행동

Joint Action for the Truth Examination of the Cheonan ship Incident and Peace in the Korean Peninsula

Text Fwd: Here We Go Again - Missile Offense Center for Czech Republic

* Image source: Bruce Gagnon blog on July 30, 2010

* Text sent from Bruce Gagnon on July 30, 2010

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j2DquDyjJGH2kx1e7w787oIn21ZwD9H9CAHO0


Associated Press
July 30, 2010

US wants missile defense center in Czech Republic
By KAREL JANICEK


PRAGUE: The Czech prime minister said Friday his government has been negotiating a plan with the United States to place a warning center in the Czech Republic as part of a reworked U.S. missile defense plan.

Petr Necas said the purpose of the center was to gather and analyze information from satellite censors "to detect missiles aiming at NATO territory."

"It's not supposed to be a huge military installation," Necas said.

He said only several people will be needed to run the center, and that they could be from the U.S., NATO member countries or the Czechs after undergoing training.

It is not clear yet where in the country the installation could be based or when it could become operational. Necas said Prague was an option.

The U.S. plans to initially invest $2 million in 2011 and 2012 for the center, which is expected to become part of a joint NATO missile defense shield in the future, Necas said.

In September, the Obama administration scrapped Bush-era blueprints for basing long-range interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic as part of a missile defense shield designed to shoot down long-range missiles from countries including Iran.

It was strongly opposed by Russia and unpopular among the Czech public.

The new system is focused on short- and medium-range interceptors.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden won agreement from the Czech Republic and Poland to join Obama's reconfigured missile defense during his October visit to Prague and Warsaw.

To build the center, no new Czech-U.S. deal or parliamentary approval will be needed, Necas said.

His government may support the new U.S. plan but opponents say they were ready to protest again.

"It's too serious to be silent," said Jan Tamas who organized numerous protest rallies against the radar base proposed by the Bush administration.
===========================
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato

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Texts Fwd: [Stop NATO Fwd Articles on Dangerous War Exercise in Asia

* The below texts were forwarded from Rick Rozoff, Stop NATO.
_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
Korea - U.S. Military Moves: Tough Diplomacy Or Regime Change?
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923888

JoongAng Daily
July 30, 2010

Tough diplomacy or regime change?
By Oh Young-hwan
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Stop NATO
U.S. Wraps Up "Asian NATO" Military Exercises In Cambodia

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7087787.html

Xinhua News Agency
July 30, 2010
_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
South Korea Sub Drills In Yellow Sea, Chinese Drills In South China

http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100730000655

Korea Herald
July 30, 2010

Antisubmarine drill in West Sea next week
By Song Sang-ho
_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
Chinese Military Told To Keep Close Eye On Regional Situation
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2010-07/30/content_11070386.htm


China Daily
July 30, 2010


Military told to keep close eye on situation
By Ai Yang and Li Xiaokun
_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
U.S. To Start $4 Million "Precision" Missile Program In Philippines
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/30/c_13422922.htm

Xinhua News Agency
July 30, 2010

U.S. to start implementing "precision" missiles in Philippines
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Stop NATO
Report: Shift U.S. Military Focus To Massive Naval Buildup In Asia
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/29/review-calls-for-buildup-of-navy\
/

Washington Times
July 29, 2010

Defense review calls for Navy buildup
Refocus urged for Pentagon
By Eli Lake

_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
U.S.-China Tensions Continue To Escalate
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2010-07/29/content_11067850.htm


China Daily
July 29, 2010


US should stop meddling in Asian issues
By Wang Hui
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Stop NATO
China, U.S. Hold Rival War Games Off Korean Coasts
http://english.eastday.com/e/100729/u1a5360156.html


China Daily
July 29, 2010


China conducts 2 military drills

_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
U.S. Prepares Simultaneous Aggression Against Venezuela, Iran

http://en.fondsk.ru/article.php?id=3176


Strategic Culture Foundation
July 29, 2010


The US is Synchronously Preparing to Launch Aggression Against Iran and
Venezuela
Nil Nikandrov
_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
Rising Tensions Korean Peninsula: Reviewing Cheonan Evidence
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=20334


Global Research
July 28, 2010


Rising Tensions on the Korean Peninsula: The Sinking of the Cheonan, Reviewing
the Evidence
by Gregory Elich
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Stop NATO
East Asia: Last Thing U.S. Needs Is Another War
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10209/1075709-374.stm

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
July 28, 2010

An exercise in folly
The last thing the U.S. needs right now is another war
By Dan Simpson*
_________________________________________________________
Stop NATO
Chinese Sources: U.S. Establishes Another NATO In Asia
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1331543&lang=eng_news


Taiwan News
July 28, 2010


China reports: the US means to set up another NATO in Asia
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Stop NATO
F-22 Raptors Make Debut At U.S.-South Korean War Games
http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=105318&code=Ne2&category=2


Arirang News
July 28, 2010


F-22 Raptors Make Korean Debut at the Korea-US Joint Military Exercise
Kim Hyo-sun
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Stop NATO

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ibze-pQPBbZ1oa0WaoYrCWGSiX1w
US lawmaker: Time for Korea peace treaty
July 27, 2010
* Dennis Kucinich
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Stop NATO
Korea War Games: Bankrupt Military Superpower Goads China, Russia
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2010-07/27/content_11052143.htm


China Daily
July 27, 2010


Joint naval drill only benefits militaries
Chen Weihua
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Stop NATO
U.S. Leads Submarine Warfare Drills Off Korean Peninsula
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/27/c_13417468.htm


Xinhua News Agency
July 27, 2010


S. Korea, U.S. conduct anti-submarine exercises in 3rd day of joint exercises
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Stop NATO
Japan To Lift Nuclear Arms Ban For Korea, Taiwan "Contingencies"
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4724246&c=ASI&s=TOP


Agence France-Presse
July 27, 2010


Japan Must Prepare for 'Contingencies': Panel
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Stop NATO
Japan to allow export of missile interceptors to third countries: Report
http://www.brahmand.com/news/Japan-to-allow-export-of-missile-interceptors-to-th\
ird-countries-Report/4556/1/17.html


Brahmand Defence and Aerospace News
July 26, 2010

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Stop NATO
Sea Of Japan: U.S., South Korea To Stage Anti-Submarine Drill
http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/skorea-us-plan-anti-submarine-drill


Radio Netherlands
July 26, 2010


S. Korea, US plan anti-submarine drill
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"DPRK says U.S.-South Korean military drills violate sovereignty, vow

DPRK says U.S.-South Korean military drills violate sovereignty, vows "physical response

July 23, 2010

Text Fwd: Will Korea become venue for show of force?

Korea Times
Will Korea become venue for show of force?
July 28, 2010

NK denuclearization remains elusive

By Jung Sung-ki
Staff reporter

This week’s major naval and air exercises by South Korea and the United States in the eastern waters of the Korean Peninsula demonstrated their powerful deterrent capabilities against North Korean provocation, experts say, but it also reveals the possibility of the peninsula becoming a stage for power games between the world’s two largest economies ― the United States and China ― at any time.

The four-day “Invincible Spirit” exercise ended Wednesday after the two countries employed massive air and naval capabilities to send a “message” to North Korea, which has been blamed for the sinking of one of South Korea’s warships in western waters March 26.

“This kind of exercise is intended to demonstrate to North Korea the risks of its future provocations, given U.S.-ROK strengths,” Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, a private U.S. defense think tank, told The Korea Times. “It also allows the ROK and U.S. forces to exercise together in waters adjoining Korea, and thereby enhance their cooperation and reduce any defensive gaps that might exist.

“While the North Korean leadership will not like such an exercise, it will also know that if it escalates its provocations, the United States can fairly quickly send 3 to 5 times as large a naval force into Korean waters and pose a substantial threat to North Korea,” he said.

One focus of the exercise has been anti-submarine training, which follows the sinking of the Cheonan warship believed to have been torpedoed by a North Korean submarine. Forty-six sailors were killed from the attack.

Backed by the USS George Washington carrier strike group, South Korean warships and submarines held major drills to detect and attack enemy’s submarines.

To demonstrate its firm commitment to the defense of South Korea, the U.S. Air Force temporarily dispatched F-22 fighter jets to the peninsula for the first time for training missions.

“The F-22 Raptor came to us because it is here in the Pacific region right now at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, on what we call a theater security package to demonstrate to our alliance partners, both Korea and Japan, and all of Northeast Asia, our commitment to peace and stability in this region of the world,” Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, commander of the U.S. 7th Air Force, told the press July 26 at Osan Air Base, about 65 kilometers south of Seoul.

Approximately 8,000 troops participated in the exercise, in addition to 200 aircraft, and 20 alliance surface warships and submarines.

Follow-up exercises, including an anti-submarine drill in the West Sea, are scheduled to begin in September.



N. Korean response

Yang Moo-jin, a professor of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, expressed concern that the high-profile military exercise could stoke tensions on the peninsula unnecessarily and eventually lead to North Korea’s nuclear deterrence.

“Under the armistice system, we’re inevitably vulnerable to any volatile situation, and there have been many cases of conflicts (since the signing of the armistice agreement in 1953). That’s why we should come up with polices toward the North in a careful and measured way for the long-term and in a consistent manner,” Yang said in a phone interview.

“The Lee Myung-bak government initially vowed to put priority on the denuclearization of North Korea, but following the Cheonan incident, the priority has been apparently changed,” he said. “I’m very concerned that the denuclearization effort will be put on the backseat every time an inter-Korean incident occurs. If every incident is linked to the denuclearization issue, chances for North Korea’s disarmament will continue to get slimmer.”

In the face of the show of force by South Korea and the United States, North Korea vowed earlier this week that it would further bolster its nuclear deterrence.

Yang expected the North would not conduct any direct response to the South Korea-U.S. war games due mainly to pressure from China, its closest ally.

The North is also limited to military responses because of its domestic politics and an instable power succession process, said the professor.

“But it’s possible that the North could attempt to ratchet up tension by test-firing short-range missiles or coastal artillery both in the eastern and western waters, or maneuvering its patrol ships near the Northern Limit Line (NLL),” he noted.

Furthermore, the communist state would try to bolster its nuclear deterrence by carrying out a third underground atomic bomb test, developing technology to mount a nuclear warhead on intercontinental ballistic missiles, and test-launching the missiles.

In the worst-case scenario, Pyongyang will try to produce uranium bombs through its claimed highly enriched uranium (HEU) program or hydrogen bombs through nuclear fusion.

In May, the North claimed its scientists had carried out a nuclear fusion reaction that could lead to a limitless supply of clean energy. Observers see such nuclear fusion could also be used to make hydrogen bombs.

In September last year, Pyongyang already argued that it was in the final stages of experimental uranium enrichment, another way of making nuclear bombs.

Six-party talks aimed at dismantling North Korea’s nuclear programs have been stalled since December 2008. The North announced in April last year that it was quitting the multinational denuclearization forum in protest of United Nations sanctions imposed after the North’s long-range missile test in the same month.

Sanctions ahead

The United States announced earlier this month it would expand and strengthen sanctions against the North. The plan was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she visited Seoul for the “2+2” talks with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and South Korean counterparts ― Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Defense Minister Kim Tae-young.

New sanctions would target North Korea’s criminal enterprises, such as trafficking in counterfeit currency and cigarettes, as well as money laundering and drug smuggling, according to diplomats in Seoul.

Clinton stressed a new round of sanctions would target Pyongyang’s sale and purchase of arms and import of luxury goods, and would help prevent nuclear proliferation.

“It is unclear if the decision to announce new U.S. sanctions now is a direct short-term response to the unsatisfactory U.N. action against the Cheonan attack or the culmination of a longer-term effort to add another facet to the strategic patience policy,” said Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center.

“If the envisioned sanctions program includes a wide-ranging and vigorous enforcement of U.N. resolutions and international law, it could provide a more effective means to bring pressure on North Korea,” he noted.

The sanctions must target a more extensive listing of North Korean entities but also other foreign countries, businesses and banks that are violating U.N. Resolution 1874 imposed on the North in the aftermath of its second underground nuclear test in May last year, he added.
Pundits agree that the most successful round of sanctions against North Korea occurred in 2005, when the U.S. Treasury Department designated the Macao-based Banco Delta Asia as a money-laun-derer of North Korean illicit assets. In the face of financial difficulties, North Korea returned to the six-party denuclearization talks, but it paid a steep price as $25 million was held back by the bank.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

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* Related articles:

Korea Times
07-28-2010 22:15
S. Korea, US end joint exercise in East Sea

Korea Times
S. Korea, US conduct live-fire drill
July 27, 2010

Korea Times
Allies show off deterrence against North Korea
July 26, 2010

Korea Times
S. Korea-US military drill kicks off
July 25, 2010

Text Fwd: [Korean] Military Units from Hell flock to the East Sea

* Informed in Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea

동해에 몰려온다, 지옥의 군단(한겨레21, 2010.7.30)
Fwd from Hankyoreh, July 30, 2010
Military Units from Hell flock to the East Sea (tentative translation)

동해에 몰려온다, 지옥의 군단 한겨레21 | 입력 2010.07.30 18:10 [한겨레21] 한-미 연합 훈련, 북-중 코앞에서 미 7함대의 무시무시한 첨단무기 과시… 한반도에서 '신냉전'은 시작되는가 지구는 모두 6개의 구역으로 나뉜다. 구역 간 경계를 이루는 6개의 실선은 가로와 세로로 지구의 바다와 대지와 창공을 갈라놓는다. 선과 면은 때로 위치를 바꾸는데, 순전히 그 주인 마음이다. 원래 5개 구역이었는데, 2008년 이후 남아메리카를 둘러치는 새로운 구역을 만들었다. 6등분한 세계의 바다, 11개 항모가 지배 선을 그어 면을 창조하고 이를 지배하는 주인은 미 해군이다. 미 해군은 서대서양(2함대), 동대서양(6함대), 동태평양(3함대), 서태평양(7함대), 중동(5함대), 남아메리카(4함대) 등을 토막내 각 함대에 나눠줬다(1함대는 1973년 3함대에 통합됐다). 바다만 지배하는 것은 아니다. 바다는 목줄이다. 해상력의 우세는 공중전·지상전의 압도로 이어진다. 세계의 바다를 나눠 맡은 미 해군은 창공을 장악하고 대지를 점령한다. 따라서 지구는 미 해군 6개 함대가 지배하는 구역의 총합이다. 미 해군은 2009년 1월 2차 세계대전 이후 해체했던 10함대를 재창설해 사이버전을 맡겼다. 이로써 미 해군은 현실공간은 물론 가상공간까지 장악했다. 그들이 지배하는 지구에는 11개의 점도 있다. 남극점·북극점은 낭만적 모험가에게나 쓸모 있다. 현대 인류의 목줄을 죄는 11개의 점은 미국 동부 해안에 6개, 서부 해안에 4개, 그리고 일본 동부 해안에 1개가 있다. 크게 보아 태평양 방면에 5개, 대서양 방면에 6개를 배치했다. 매일 제 구역을 돌며 으르렁대는 맹수처럼 11개의 점은 선과 면을 넘어 변화무쌍하게 움직인다. 지배자가 누구인지 세계인에게 환기한다. 푸른빛의 레이더 화면에서 그것은 점으로 자신을 표현하지만, 검은 눈동자를 들어 바라보면 거대한 섬이다. 11척의 항공모함은 인류 역사상 가장 거대하고 강력한 군함이다. 1972년 미국 버지니아주 뉴포트뉴스 조선소에서 '니미츠'호가 탄생한 이후 2009년까지 모두 10척의 '니미츠급' 항모가 만들어졌다. 6200~6500명의 승무원이 올라탄 이들 항모는 만재배수량 9만~10만t 규모고, 높이는 24층 건물에 해당하는 74m다. 갑판 길이는 360m, 갑판 폭은 78m로 21개의 축구장이 들어갈 수 있다. 니미츠는 2차 세계대전 당시 태평양 함대 사령관의 이름이다. 나머지 9척은 미국 역대 대통령 또는 상원의원의 이름을 붙였다. 미국의 대통령·정치인·장군은 죽어서도 세계를 지배한다. '키티호크급' 항모인 엔터프라이즈호는 다른 10척보다 규모는 작지만, 세계 최초의 원자력 추진항모의 표상으로 지금도 실전 배치돼 있다. 2015년에는 니미츠급을 능가하는 '제럴드포드급' 항모가 새로 등장할 예정이다. 함정·잠수함 20여 척, 전투기 200여 대 참여 다른 어느 나라도 이런 항모를 갖고 있지 않다. 옛 소련 시절 만들어진 러시아 최대 항모 '쿠즈네초프'는 니미츠급과 비교해 배수량은 3분의 2, 승무원은 절반 수준에 그친다. 그나마 러시아는 이 항모를 하나만 갖고 있다. 중국은 미완성작으로 남겨진 쿠즈네초프급 항모 '바리야그'를 수입해 개조하고 있다. 완성한다 해도 제 앞가림도 미처 못할 딱 한 척의 항모만 보유하게 될 것이다. 지구를 구획한 선과 면은 미 해군 임의의 것이지만, 11개의 점은 국제 해양법에 규정된 권리를 갖는다. '유엔 해양법 협약'에 따르면, 군함은 "세계 어디를 가든 국가를 대표하는 '떠다니는 영토'"로서 "타국의 사법권에 복종하지 않는 면책특권"을 갖고 있고, "이에 대한 간섭 행위는 전쟁 행위로 간주"된다. 논리적으로는 모든 나라의 전투함이 같은 권리를 갖지만, 현실에서 이를 만끽하는 것은 미 해군뿐이다. 다른 나라는 먼 바다에 '떠다니는 영토'를 보낼 능력이 없다. 머리카락을 뽑아 수백~수천의 분신을 만드는 손오공처럼 11척의 항공모함은 수많은 전투함·전투기·상륙함·전투부대로 제 몸을 나눈다. 혼자 다니지 않고 언제나 '항모 타격전단'(CSG·Carrier Strike Group)을 구성한다. 항모 한 척에는 탑재기 80여 대가 있다. 이 하나만으로 어지간한 나라의 공군력을 능가한다. 2008년 현재 쿠웨이트가 보유한 공군 비행기는 전투기·지원기·연습기 등을 모두 포함해 98대다. 또 항모에는 이지스 순양함 1척, 이지스 구축함 2척, 공격형 원자력 잠수함 1척, 군수지원함 1척 등이 '기본 단위'를 이뤄 따라붙는다. 항모와 전투기를 엄호하는 동시에 독자적으로 작전에 임한다. 상황에 따라 더 많은 순양함·구축함·잠수함을 배치할 수 있다. 미 항공모함 타격전단은 접고 펼치는 신묘한 재주를 부린다. 점·선·면으로 구성된 미 해군의 기하학적 세계 전략은 현실의 바다에서 생물학적인 충격과 공포로 변모한다. 한국인들도 이를 체험할 수 있게 됐다. 7월25~28일 동해에서 한-미 연합 해상·공중 훈련이 펼쳐진다. 훈련명은 '불굴의 의지'. 누가 뭐래도 세계를 기어이 지배하려는 미 해군의 6개 함대 중 하나인 제7함대가 참여한다. 이번 훈련의 핵심은 7함대의 주력을 북한 코앞에서 펼쳐 보이는 데 있다. 한-미 육·해·공·해병 8천여 명과 20여 척의 함정·잠수함, 그리고 일본에서 날아오는 F22 랩터를 비롯한 200여 대의 전투기가 동원된다. 그러나 세계 최강이라는 미 공군의 F22는 이번 훈련에 오직 4대만 참여한다. 규모 면에서는 보병 등 20만 명이 동원됐던 과거의 '팀스피릿' 훈련보다 훨씬 작다. 이번 훈련의 진정한 의미는 육군 또는 공군이 아니라 미 해군 7함대의 핵심 전력이 직접 한반도 주변 작전에 참여하는 데 있다. 해상 전력을 중심으로 북한은 물론 중국을 '초기에 제압하겠다'는 메시지를 전달하려는 것이다. 이지스함, 모든 미사일·비행기 요격 7함대는 미 본토를 떠나 전진 배치된 함대 가운데 가장 크다. 7함대 휘하 병력만 해도 50~60척의 전투함, 350여 대의 전투기, 6만여 명의 해군 및 해병대 요원을 아우른다. 7함대는 세 가지 공식 임무를 맡고 있다. △관할지역 합동군사작전 지휘 △관할지역 미 해군 병력 지휘 △한반도 방어다. 7함대는 일본 요코스카 기지 외에도 일본 사세보 기지, 미국령 괌 기지를 함께 사용한다. 요코스카 기지엔 11척의 항모 중 하나인 '조지워싱턴'호를 비롯해 항모 타격전단을 구성하는 순양함·구축함이 주둔한다. 사세보 기지엔 그 뒤를 이어 상륙작전을 펼칠 상륙함들이 주로 배치돼 있고, 괌 기지엔 원거리에서 정밀 표적 타격이 가능한 원자력 잠수함 3척이 대기하고 있다. '불굴의 의지' 훈련에는 이들 7함대의 핵심 전력이 총동원된다. 조지워싱턴은 물론 매캠벨·존매케인·라센 등 이지스 구축함 3척과 원자력 잠수함 1~2척(어느 잠수함이 참여하는지는 알려지지 않았다)이 동해에 등장한다. 그 위용의 서막은 '이지스'(AEGIS)가 연다. 항모를 호위하는 이지스 순양함은 450km 이상 떨어진 목표물 1천 개를 동시에 탐지해, SM2 미사일로 20여 개의 목표물을 동시에 원거리 요격한다(순양함은 이번 훈련에는 참가하지 않는다). 이지스 구축함의 탐지 능력도 이에 못지않다. 400km 밖의 목표물 1천 개를 동시에 탐지·추적해 12~15개의 목표물과 동시 교전할 수 있다. 구축함은 육상 타격 능력도 갖추고 있어, 사정거리 900km의 함정용 토마호크 미사일까지 쏘아보낸다. 모든 일은 디지털의 속도로 순식간에 이뤄진다. '페이즈드 어레이 레이더'(SPY-1)는 전자적 탐색으로 목표를 포착한다. 수집된 데이터는 지휘결정·무기관제 시스템에서 종합 처리된다. 1천 개의 표적 가운데 먼저 요격할 수십 개의 표적을 골라 함포·미사일·어뢰를 발사시킨다. 모든 과정은 인간이 판단하기 전에 이지스가 먼저 실천한다. 한반도의 폭은 200~300km이므로, 행여 조지워싱턴호를 노리는 북한의 미사일·비행기가 있어도 대지를 떠나자마자 이지스 시스템에 의해 모두 요격당할 것이다. 오히려 구축함에서 날아드는 순항미사일이 주요 시설을 깡그리 쓸어버리는 것을 북한군은 지켜만 봐야 할 것이다. 그들은 정말이지 아무것도 할 수 없다. 이제 조지워싱턴호에 탑재된 전투기의 시간이다. 전투기는 대형 엘리베이터를 타고 격납고에서 갑판으로 옮겨진다. 전자전(電子戰) 전투기인 EA-6B 프라울러가 먼저 이륙한다. 프라울러는 상대의 전파 탐지를 무력화한다. 1986년 미군이 리비아를 공습했을 때, 리비아군은 무엇이 제 머리 위로 날아오고 있는지 전혀 알지 못했다. 미국의 전자전기가 방공 레이더를 무력화한 것이다. 리비아의 국가원수 카다피를 살린 것은 군사력이 아니라 천운이었다. 프라울러가 뜨면 북한 역시 마찬가지 신세가 될 것이다. 천운에 기대어 목숨을 구해야 할 것이다. 이번 훈련 때는 조지워싱턴호의 등장이 '공표'됐지만, 진짜 전쟁이 일어나면 이 항모는 아무 소리 없이 동해에 들어올 것이고, 프라울러는 들어온 자취를 모두 숨길 것이다. 동해에서 중국 본토까지 노릴 수 있는 토마호크 일단 상대의 눈을 가리고 나면, 전폭기가 날아오른다. 미 해군의 주력기는 F/A-18E/F 슈퍼호넷이다. 마하 1.8의 이 전투기는 '공대지', 즉 하늘에서 지상을 폭격하는 것이 특장이다. 전투 반경이 2346km에 이르므로 남북 직선 길이 1100km의 한반도를 단숨에 훑어내릴 수 있다. 항모인 조지워싱턴호는 4개의 사출장치를 이용해 20초마다 전투기 1대씩을 날려보낸다. 총 80대의 전투기 가운데 50여 대에 이르는 전폭기는 번갈아 하루 150여 차례 지상 폭격을 퍼부을 수 있다. 항모에서 이륙하는 슈퍼호넷은 통상 3~4t 정도의 폭탄을 탑재할 수 있다. 순전한 산술적 계산으로는 대당 4t의 폭탄을 실은 슈퍼호넷이 하루에만 150차례에 걸쳐 600t의 폭탄을 한반도에 쏟아부을 수 있다. 2차 세계대전 당시 B29 폭격기 344대는 2400t의 폭탄을 도쿄에 뿌려 초토화시켰다. 적어도 10만명이 폭격으로 죽었다. 한반도는 '도쿄 대공습'에 버금가는 탄흔을 곳곳에 안게 될 것이다. 융단폭격보다 더 위력적인 것은 '정밀폭격'이다. 위성의 안내를 받아 스스로 표적을 찾아가는 순항미사일 토마호크는 핵잠수함과 이지스 구축함에서 동시에 발사된다. 미군은 걸프전 등 중동에서 토마호크만으로도 상대를 충분히 제압했다. 북한이라고 다르진 않을 것이다. 7함대 소속 '로스앤젤레스급' 핵잠수함은 상대에게 탐지되지 않고 적진 깊숙이 들어가 잠항 상태에서 1200km 밖의 표적을 향해 토마호크를 쏘아올린다. 사정거리가 한반도 남북 길이를 능가하므로, 굳이 '적진 깊숙이' 들어갈 필요도 별로 없다. 제주도 앞바다에서 북한 전 지역을 겨냥할 수 있다. 동해에서 중국 본토까지 표적으로 삼을 수 있다. 잠수함에는 12개의 토마호크 미사일이 있다. 하늘에서 정지작업을 마쳤으므로, 해병대의 상륙은 그리 바쁘지 않을 것이다. 7함대 소속 기뢰전 소해정이 주변 해역의 기뢰를 탐지해 파괴하면, 다목적 강습상륙함(LHD)이 북한 연안에 접근한다. 중형 항공모함에 버금가는 규모의 상륙함에는 전차 5대, 장갑차 25대, 트럭 68대, 헬기 42대가 실려 있다. 또 다른 상륙함(LSD·LPD)에서는 장갑차 60여 대, 전투병력 500~800명이 내린다. 그런 상륙함이 계속 해안을 드나들 것이다. 이것으로 7함대는 바다와 창공을 넘어 마침내 대지를 지배한다. 이번 훈련도 마찬가지지만, 실제 전쟁에서는 일본과 한국에 배치된 미 공군 정예기, 한국이 보유한 아시아 최고 수준의 순양함·구축함·잠수함, 그리고 한-미 합동 지상병력이 7함대의 전력에 가담한다. 이명박 정부 출범 직후부터 예견된 훈련 "'예외적으로' 이렇게 많은 전력이 투입된 동해 훈련은 처음 있는 일"이라고 박선원 미국 브루킹스연구소 초빙연구원은 말했다. 그가 보기에 이번 훈련은 "기간·규모·성격 등에서 지나치게 감정적인 것"이다. 한국 합참은 지난 7월20일 "북한의 도발에 단호하게 대처하겠다는 결연한 동맹 의지를 강조하기 위한 것"이라고 이번 훈련을 설명했다. 천안함 사태에 대한 '대응'의 차원이라는 뜻이다. 북한도 발끈하고 있다. 7월23일 베트남 하노이에서 열린 아세안지역포럼(ARF)에서 북한 대표단의 리동일 외무성 군축과장은 "조지워싱턴호가 참가한 이상 한-미 연합훈련은 더이상 방어훈련이 아니며 북한의 주권과 안보에 반하는 것"이라며 "미국의 군사조처에 대해 물리적 대응이 있을 것"이라고 엄포를 놓았다. 그러나 이번 훈련은 이명박 정부 출범 직후부터 어느 정도 예견됐다. 2008년 11월, 한국해양전략연구소와 미국해군분석처가 '중국 해군의 증강과 한-미 해군 협력'을 주제로 공동 학술회의를 열었다. 이 자리에서 미국 쪽 참석자들은 중국의 해군력 증강이 "미국의 군사적 이점을 상쇄할 수 있는 잠재력이 있다"며 크게 우려했다. 한국 쪽 참석자들은 "강화된 한-미 해군 연합 훈련"이 필요하고, 특히 "서해에서의 정기적 연합 훈련 및 연습"을 "중국에 공개해" 진행해야 한다고 주장했다. 이번 훈련은 동해뿐만 아니라 서해에서도 전개된다. 중국의 반발을 의식해 항모 조지워싱턴호를 서해 대신 동해에 배치한 것을 제외하면, 2년 전 한-미 군부 인사들의 구상은 '불굴의 의지' 훈련에서 그대로 실현됐다. 공교롭게도 미 해군의 니미츠급 항모들은 이명박 정부 출범 직후인 2008년 2월(니미츠호)·7월(로널드레이건호)·10월(조지워싱턴호)에 걸쳐 한국에 입항했다. 대형 항모들이 한국을 집중적으로 찾은 것은 이때가 처음이었다. 거듭된 입항이 훈련 참가에 앞선 정지작업이 아니었는지 의심되는 대목이다. 따라서 7함대의 동해 훈련 참가는 미국의 세계 전략과 이명박 정부의 단기 전술이 맞아떨어진 결과로 볼 수 있다. 중국을 견제하려는 미국으로선 한반도 주변에서 펼치는 대규모 해상훈련이 절실했고, 천안함 사태에 '맞불 '을 놓지 못했다고 보수세력에게 비난받았던 이명박 정부는 이런 요구에 적극 화답한 셈이다. 그래서 김종대 < 디앤디포커스 > 편집장은 이번 훈련을 천안함에 의한 '나비효과'에 비유했다. 천안함 사태가 동아시아 미-중 갈등 구도를 포함하는 "큰 질서의 변화로 귀결되고 있다"는 것이다. 그 귀결은 신냉전 또는 변화된 냉전의 개막이다. 박선원 연구원은 이번 훈련이 "오히려 중국의 독자적 대규모 해상 훈련을 촉발하고, 동아시아 지역에서 신냉전을 불러올 가능성이 있다"고 봤다. 김종대 편집장은 "중국과 러시아도 비슷한 규모의 훈련을 하게 될 텐데, 그렇게 되면 열강끼리 서로 첨예한 자극을 주고받으면서 세계 군사력의 전시장으로 한반도를 활용하게 될 것"이라고 봤다. 기왕에 지구를 분할 지배해온 미 해군은 2010년 7월, 드디어 동해에 들어와 그 힘을 과시하게 됐다. 미국은 2006년 국가안보전략(NSS) 문서에서 "우리가 세계를 조정해야지, 세계에 의해 조정돼서는 안 된다"고 공언했다. 한국은 그 세계를 조정할 힘이 없다. 강대국이 각축하는 신냉전의 시대가 오면, 그 여지는 더욱 좁아질 것이다. "미-중 대립 심화되면 한반도가 희생양" 노무현 정부에서 외무부 장관을 지낸 송민순 민주당 의원도 최근 한반도를 둘러싸고 동북아시아에서 벌어지는 일련의 흐름을 불안하게 보고 있다. 송 의원은 최근 한-미 양국 외교·국방 장관의 '2+2 회의'를 앞두고 자신의 홈페이지에 '한-미 동맹, 성공하고 있는가, 2+2 회의를 위한 제언'이란 제목의 글을 썼다. 주요 부분을 인용하면 다음과 같다. "지금 동북아에서는 대립 분위기가 가중되고 있다. 한반도는 미-중의 전략적 이익이 부딪히는 선상에 위치하고 있다. 미-중 간 전략적 균열이 깊어지고 해양과 대륙의 지판이 비틀어지면 늘 한반도가 그 첫 번째 희생이 되어왔다. 우리의 지정학적 위치와 역사의 교훈은 그대로 있다. 미국과 중국은 서해-동지나해-대만해협-남지나해를 서태평양의 현장대치선으로 하고 있다. 대치선상인 서해와 동지나 해상의 파고를 높이는 데 한-미 동맹이 앞장서야 할까." 한-미 동맹의 전략적 이익은 언제나 대한민국의 전략적 이익과 일치하는가. 한반도와 주변 해역이 세계 강대국들의 최첨단 무기 전시장이 된다면, 수시로 전쟁을 대비한 가상훈련, 즉 전쟁 연습이 벌어진다면 우리는 무엇을 얻고 무엇을 잃게 될까. 보수와 진보의 이념적 차이를 떠나 우리가 가야 할 길은, 한반도와 동북아의 평화와 안정이다. 냉전시대의 재현이나, 강대국들의 이해관계에 나라와 백성의 운명을 내맡기는 식의 21세기판 얄타체제는 길이 아니다. 세계를 조정하지는 못할망정, 세계에 의해 원치 않는 방식으로 조정당하지 않을 국가안보 전략을 우리는 가지고 있는가. 지금, 미국 항공모함인 조지워싱턴호보다 훨씬 더 큰 판이 움직이고 있다. 한국군이 개발한 순항미사일 '현무-3C' 베이징·도쿄도 사정권, 주변국 긴장 1990년 한-미 두 나라는 '한-미 미사일 각서'를 체결했다. 한국 정부가 보유할 수 있는 미사일 사거리를 180km로 제한하는 내용이었다. 탄두 중량도 500kg 이하만 개발 가능하도록 못박았다. 10년 뒤 북한의 미사일 발사 실험으로 각서는 개정됐다. 2001년 미사일 합의에서는 탄도미사일에 대한 제한은 그대로 두되 순항미사일은 무인항공기와 동일하게 분류해 탄두 중량 500kg을 넘지 않는 선에서 사거리에 상관없이 개발할 수 있게 했다. 그리고 다시 10년이 지난 올해, 드디어 중부 지역의 유도탄사령부에 1500km의 사거리를 보유한 순항(크루즈)미사일이 실전 배치 중인 것으로 알려졌다. 미사일의 이름은 '현무-3C.' 국방과학연구소가 2008년부터 개발한 것으로 알려진 지대지 순항미사일이다. 북한은 물론 중국 베이징(950km), 일본 도쿄(1160km), 러시아 블라디보스토크(750km) 등이 주요 사정권 안에 들어오게 됐다. 이 미사일은 북한 전역의 군 지휘부, 레이더망, 미사일 기지, 핵 관련 시설 등을 목표로 배치됐다. 군 관계자는 "분쟁이 생길 경우 장거리 정밀 타격무기가 될 뿐만 아니라 상대방의 군사행동을 예방하는 분쟁 억지 효과까지 기대할 수 있다"고 말했다. 현무-3C는 길이 6m, 직경 60cm 내외, 무게 약 1.5t 등으로 알려져 있다. 이는 미국의 대표적 순항미사일인 토마호크의 재원과 유사하다. 토마호크의 사정거리(2400km)에는 조금 못 미치지만, 목표물과의 오차가 1~2m 정도로 토마호크에 못지않은 성능을 보유하고 있다. 이라크전 당시 토마호크는 스텔스기와 함께 미국의 주요한 공격 수단이었다. 개전 초기 이라크 대공방어망, 레이더 기지, 발전·통신 시설, 지휘통제소 등을 정밀 타격해 큰 전과를 올렸다. 순항미사일은 일정한 고도와 속도를 유지하면서 미리 입력된 표적을 향해 날아간다. 인공위성으로 발사 지점부터 표적까지 이르는 모든 지형을 입체사진으로 촬영한 뒤 몇km 구간씩 나눠 미사일의 컴퓨터에 입력해둔다. 프로그래밍된 목표물을 향해 지형에 맞게 스스로 궤도를 수정하고 고도와 속도를 유지하며 날아가므로 명중률이 높다. 현재 사거리 500km 이상의 순항미사일을 보유한 국가는 미국·영국·프랑스·러시아·중국·이스라엘 등 6개국 정도며 1500km 이상 순항미사일을 개발한 국가는 이 가운데 미국·러시아·이스라엘 3개국에 불과하다. 현무-3C의 개발로 한국은 군사강국인 이 세 나라와 같은 반열에 오르게 됐다. 중국·일본·북한 등 주변국이 긴장하는 것은 당연하다. 이들 나라는 미국의 토마호크에 제압당한 이라크를 떠올리고 있을 것이다. 참조 문헌: 미 해군 홈페이지(www.navy.mil/swf/index.asp), 〈KODEF 군용기 연감 2007-2008〉 (플래닛미디어), < 군용항공기 > < 잠수함 > < 전투함 > < 헬리콥터 > (이상 북스힐), < 무기체계@현대·미래전 > (21세기군사연구소), < 미사일 대백과 사전 > (디펜스타임스), < 세계의 항공모함 > (호비스트), < 중국 해군의 증강과 한·미 해군 협력 > (한국해양전략연구소), < 현대 해군의 수상전투함 > (군사연구) 하어영 기자 haha@hani.co.kr 글 안수찬 기자 ahn@hani.co.kr · 김보협 기자 bhkim@hani.co.kr 사진 류우종 기자 wjryu@hani.co.kr

Text Fwd: Russian Investigation on Cheonan Ship

* Image source: Hankyoreh

* Image source: Hankyoreh

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Hankyoreh special (Four articles) on the Russian investigation on Cheonan Ship on July 27, 2010
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http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/432232.html

Russia’s Cheonan investigation suspects that the sinking Cheonan ship was caused by a mine in water
: Russia’s Cheonan investigation findings contrast with S.Korea’s report
S.Korea’s joint civilian-military investigation team concluded the sinking was caused by a torpedo attack by N.Korea

Excerpt

A document shows that the Russian investigation team that came to Korea from May 31 to June 7 to conduct its own investigation into the sinking of the Cheonan concluded that the sinking resulted from an "indirect outside underwater explosion," but that the blast was more likely from a mine than a torpedo.

On Monday, the Hankyoreh acquired a document titled "Data from the Russian Naval Expert Group's Investigation into the Cause of the South Korean Naval Vessel Cheonan's Sinking," in which the Russian team stated, "The explosion time officially stated by South Korea [9:21:58 p.m.] does not coincide with the time of the last video footage taken on the day in question when the power current was cut off within the vessel [9:17:03 p.m.]." This statement hints that an uncontrollable situation may have arisen at least four to five minutes before the time announced by the South Korean team.

The Russian team also said that a sailor on board the Cheonan made a cell phone call at 9:12:03 p.m. notifying a Naval signalman that crew members were injured. "The record of this first communication does not accord with what was official stated by South Korea," the team said. This coincides with a July 8 Hankyoreh report stating that the Russian team had "detected the transmission of a distress signal at a time earlier than the time of the Cheonan explosion."

The Russian team also raised questions about the so-called "No. 1 torpedo" fragment presented by the South Korean team as "conclusive evidence" of North Korean responsibility for the sinking. "While the torpedo fragment may have been made in North Korea, the characters written in ink do not conform to general standards" in terms of location and lettering, the Russian team said. The Russian team went to say, "Based on a naked-eye analysis of the torpedo fragment presented, one could believe that the fragment had been underwater for six months or more." Previously, the South Korean team announced that a naked-eye analysis of the degree of corrosion indicated that the torpedo debris had been underwater for around one to two months.

Regarding damage to the Cheonan's propeller screws, the Russian team wrote, "Since before the time of the disaster in question, all five of the right-side screw wings and two of the screw wings on the left had been damaged due to contact with the ocean floor." In short, the Russian team held that the screws became broken or bent due to contact with the ocean floor, which varies considerably from the official announcement by the South Korean team.

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http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/432230.html Russian Navy Expert Team’s analysis on the Cheonan incident :The following are the conclusions reached based on the analysis of and experiments on the materials given to the team of Russian experts.

Excerpt

The following was concluded from our examination: Before the sinking, the bottom of the Cheonan ship touched the shallow ocean floor, and all wing blades of its right screw (propeller) and two wing blades of its left screw (propeller) were damaged, and the damaged propellers were scratched so baddly that they became shiny and wide areas of the screws were scratched by friction.

- Remnant fishing nets were found entangled around the right screw axle of the damaged ship. This contradicts the ROK’s claim that there were no fishing zones in the area of the ship’s voyage.

　The Russian experts’ conclusions are the following.

　1. It is confirmed that the cause of the sinking of the Cheonan is due to an explosion outside the ship and in the water. (* The Hankyoreh Korean version specifically names the probable cause of explosion due to the 'underwater mines' that have probably been installed by the ROK and U.S. as a part of deterrence practice against NK for decades in the past)

　2. Before the sinking, the Cheonan ship touched the ocean floor on the right, a fishing net was entangled in the right propeller and the right line of the axle, which damaged the propeller wings.

Due to the entanglement of the fishing net with the right propeller and axle line, the Cheonan ship must have experienced restrictions in its speed and maneuvers.

　The Cheonan ship was traveling in a shallow area close to the coast and was entangled with the fishing net, and while it was moving to deeper water, the bottom of the ship might have touched an antenna of an ocean mine, which ignited the explosion of the mine.

　Another possibility is that the ship was traveling with its malfunctioning navigation system and with a restricted maneuvering capability, it might have been exploded by a ROK’s torpedo.

3. The torpedo part that ROK presented seems to be an electronic torpedo with a radius of 533mm. However, we do not conclude that this particular torpedo was launched to and impacted on the Cheonan ship.

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http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/432233.html

“Complex combination of factors” responsible for Cheonan sinking, Russian investigation concludes

: The Russian investigation team has proposed that the primary problem was damage to the ship’s propeller prior to the explosion

Excerpt:

The Russian team that investigated the cause of the Cheonan's sinking concluded that a “complex combination of factors” were responsible. The report on its investigation findings essentially states that the primary problem arose while the Cheonan was sailing through deep waters, and that the underwater explosion was a secondary factor resulting from a mine.

The Russian team agreed with the South Korean joint civilian-military investigation team’s conclusion that the sinking resulting from a non-contact underwater explosion. However, in light of the state of damage to propeller screws on the Cheonan, the Russian team surmised that they had likely come into contact with the ocean floor before the explosion took place.

“Prior to the sinking, the Cheonan came into contact with the ocean floor on the right side, and there is a very strong likelihood that the propeller wings were damaged as a net became entangled with the right propeller and shaft,” the team stated.

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http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/432234.htm [Editorial] A thorough reinvestigation into the sinking of the Cheonan

Excerpt:

The Foreign Ministry has been ignoring even the existence of opinions differing from the result of the joint investigation team, saying Russia had not informed it of the results of their consideration. However, the government has now received the results of the Russian investigation, via another country involved. They must make public the entire contents of the Russian investigation and have them verified by experts in South Korea and abroad.

Since the sinking of the Cheonan, anachronistic division and conflict between two camps has been taking place on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. A thorough reinvestigation will be very helpful in bringing this futile phase of conflict to an end.

Photo Fwd: No War Exercise! Peace Treaty Now!

* Image source: Cho Jung-Hoon, Tongil News, July 25, 2010

* Site informed at the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea on July 25, 2010.

About 300 protesters gathered in front of the United States embassy on July 25, 2010, Sunday.
The protesters raised their voice:" Stop the War Exercise!" "End the ROK-US War Alliance!" " Examine the Truth of Cheonan Ship!" " Recover [wartime] Operational Control [right] now!" "Go Back Home, USFK," and "Peace Treaty, Now!"

On the same day, before the rally, the organizations such as the SPARK had the commemoration event on the July 27, 1953 when the armistice agreement was concluded. Korea is technically still war. Peace Treaty that would replace the Ceasefire agreement has never been concluded.



Children and their parents in the audience seat, dancing along with music, in the SPARK event for the Peace Treaty on July 25, 2010.

Text Fwd: [Bruce Gagnon blog] LOOKING FOR A FIGHT

Bruce Gagnon blog on July 25, 2010

LOOKING FOR A FIGHT

Right now the U.S. military is practicing an invasion of North Korea. The U.S. and South Korean military have just begun war games called "Invincible Spirit" which will include about 8,000 military personnel from both countries.

North Korea and China are not happy as they witness the U.S. currently doubling its military presence in the region. These war games, ostensibly aimed at North Korea, are ultimately being done in order to show China that the U.S. will "manage and control" this part of the world.

"We resolutely oppose any activities in the Yellow Sea that may threaten China's security," said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman. Imagine if you would the howls of outrage if China was holding similar war game exercises off the coast of California. The politicians in America would be spitting on themselves as they screamed bloody murder. But when the U.S. does the same to other countries it is all "for the good".

Just last Friday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got on her rostrum and amped up the war talk saying, "Peaceful resolution of the issues on the Korean Peninsula will be possible only if North Korea fundamentally changes its behavior."

Translation: North Korea must surrender to the U.S. or they will never have a moment of peace.

The U.S. destroyed North Korea during the Korean War. In his new book called The Korean War, historian Bruce Cumings recalls the truth about the war that to this day has not seen a peace agreement. Instead a truce was declared on July 27, 1953 but the U.S. war "games" today are evidence enough that the "conflict" still rages on.

The New York Times just days ago reviewed the new book by Cumings. Here are some parts of the review.

Americans need to get past the idea, Mr. Cumings says, that the Korean War was a “discrete, encapsulated” story that began in 1950, when the United States intervened to help push the Communist north out of the south of Korea, and ended in 1953, after the war bogged down in a stalemate. The United States succeeded in containment, establishing the 2.5-mile-wide demilitarized zone that still runs through Korea’s middle, but failed miserably at the war for the north, an attempt at Communist rollback.

Mr. Cumings argues that the Korean War was a civil war with long, tangled historical roots, one in which America had little business meddling. He notes how “appallingly dirty” the war was. In terms of civilian slaughter, he declares, “our ostensibly democratic ally was the worst offender, contrary to the American image of the North Koreans as fiendish terrorists.”

Mr. Cumings likens the indiscriminate American bombing of North Korea to genocide. He writes that American soldiers took part in, or observed, civilian atrocities not dissimilar to those at My Lai. An official inquiry is needed into some of these events, he writes, for any kind of healing to begin. (He also writes that this war, during which nearly 37,000 American soldiers died, deserves a memorial as potent and serious as Maya Lin’s Vietnam memorial.)

Among the most important things to understand about North Korean behavior then and now, Mr. Cumings writes, is the longtime enmity between Korea and Japan. Japan took Korea as a colony in 1910, with America’s blessing, and replaced the Korean language with Japanese. Japan humiliated and brutalized Korea in other ways. (During World War II the Japanese Army forcibly turned tens of thousands of Korean women into sex slaves known as “comfort women.”) About this history Mr. Cumings writes, “Neither Korea nor Japan has ever gotten over it.”

North Korea, which is virulently anti-Japan, remains bitter and fearful of that country and of the United States. It will do whatever it can to stay out of the hands of South Korea, where leaders have long-standing historical ties to Japan.

Mr. Cumings, in “The Korean War,” details the north’s own atrocities, and acknowledges that current “North Korean political practice is reprehensible.” But he says that we view that country through “Orientalist bigotry,” seeing only its morbid qualities. We wrongly label the country Stalinist, he argues. “There is no evidence in the North Korean experience of the mass violence against whole classes of people or the wholesale ‘purge’ that so clearly characterized Stalinism,” he writes.

The most eye-opening sections of “The Korean War” detail America’s saturation bombing of Korea’s north. “What hardly any Americans know or remember,” Mr. Cumings writes, “is that we carpet-bombed the north for three years with next to no concern for civilian casualties.” The United States dropped more bombs in Korea (635,000 tons, as well as 32,557 tons of napalm) than in the entire Pacific theater during World War II. Our logic seemed to be, he says, that “they are savages, so that gives us the right to shower napalm on innocents.”

Witness the carnage in this passage from early in “The Korean War”: “Here was the Vietnam War we came to know before Vietnam — gooks, napalm, rapes, whores, an unreliable ally, a cunning enemy, fundamentally untrained G.I.’s fighting a war their top generals barely understood, fragging of officers, contempt for the know-nothing civilians back home, devilish battles indescribable even to loved ones, press handouts from Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters apparently scripted by comedians or lunatics, an ostensible vision of bringing freedom and liberty to a sordid dictatorship run by servants of Japanese imperialism.”

You'd think that Obama and the Pentagon had enough war on their hands at this time. But the U.S. military is currently running provocative war games not only near China and North Korea.

Similar military operations are underway in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman where the U.S. and its war allies have 100 ships on maneuvers. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters is based just across the Gulf from Iran in Bahrain. There can be no doubt that the U.S. strategy is to create an incident with Iran in order to justify U.S. and Israeli attack on that nation.

And in the Caribbean, the U.S. has positioned some 5,000 troops in Costa Rica, just a stone's throw from Venezuela, under the pretext of doing "drug interdiction" operations. Clearly, just like the cases cited above, the U.S. is militarily surrounding and provoking Venezuela in hopes to justify the overthrow of the Hugo Chavez administration.

In the case of Iran and Venezuela we know that both those nations have significant supplies of oil. China is a huge importer of oil and thus a rival with the U.S. for declining supplies of fossil fuels. In the case of China the U.S. is developing the naval infrastructure to interdict China's oil importation by sea - thus "managing" their economic expansion.

The bully empire is on the lose and is looking for a fight. But back home in the U.S. the economy is collapsing under the weight of these global military operations. Something has to give - and it will be soon. We will have either total global war or the U.S. empire will collapse.

Which side are you on?
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* Related articles

Yonhap News
Joint South Korea-U.S. military drills begin as warning to North Korea
SEOUL, July 25 (Yonhap)

Excerpts

In terms of military assets, this week's joint drills are the biggest since 1976, when the allies staged exercises in response to the ax murders of two U.S. Army officers by North Korean soldiers at the truce village of Panmunjom.

"By displaying the sheer size of military capabilities, the drills will deliver a stark warning to North Korea," Rear Adm. Kim Kyung-shik of South Korean Navy told reporters.

The drills will improve military readiness across the full spectrum of capabilities, including various air, ground and sea operations to defend South Korea from a range of threats by North Korea, Kim said.

Korea Times
S. Korea-US military drill kicks off
July 25, 2010

Text Fwd: Issue of liftup of weapon export ban to be discussed in Japan / GSDFs may be deployed near Taiwan

* Text sent from M on July 25, 2010

'Though major newspapers in Japan never report, but today's local newspaper in my prefecture says

that Japanese government has begun to consider to lift up the ban on exporting weapons

limited only to SM3 Block 2A to the third-party countries. This has been urged by R.Gates since last Oct,

but before /after that, many American ' advisors' to Obama never failed to persuade Tokyo to do so in their visits to Japan.

(Note: In political terms in Japan, ' consider ' nearly means 'to give it go-ahead')

The U.S. wants to export, beginning in 2018, the new interceptor version to be produced under US-Japan joint program,

so it has been urging Japanese governments, old and new, to lift the ban up in order for the U.S. to get ready for

their likely contracts with the third-party buyers. The newspaper says that it is feared that when the ban is lifted up,

infomation may not be disclosed on what third-party countries will buy such interceptors,

thus making weapons import expanded without restraint.

Although 'the 3 principles on weapons export ' is Japan's long cherished peace measure next to Article 9,

it has never become a law, so only cabinet discussionn will be enough to lift it up, our old ruling party has said.

Additionally, our Defense Ministry wants to deploy a small number of its GSDF troops to three minor islands

in Japan's most south-western territory close to Taiwan, called Miyako, Ishigaki, Yonakuni.

http://maps.google.co.jp/maps?hl=ja&ie=UTF-8&tab=wl (Yonakuni, Ishigaki. Miyako is closer to Okinawa than these two.)

As there are now no such military facilities on these islands, this is going to need Diet deliberation.

As part of the aftermath of the Cheonan incident, this would be a grave matter as well and must be provocative to China.

[Jeju Update] [Translation] The Naval Base Budget Rejected [Last year] Was Compiled Again? Why?

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* See the latest blog on the Jeju naval base issue:

[Translation] Memorandum of Understanding on the Naval Base (April 27, 2009)
2009년 4월 27일 해군 기지 기본 협약서 번역
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* See the related blogs:

[Jeju Update] [Translation of the Statement] Press Interview on the [July 15] Court Judgment By the Opponent Groups against the Naval Base (July 15, 2010)

[Jeju Update] The Island Government and Council agree to hold the policy consultation meeting regarding the naval base issue (July 13, 2010)

[Jeju Update] Gangjeong Villagers Have the Talk Meeting with the New Seogwipo Mayor (July 9, 2010)

[Jeju Update][Translation] The New Jeju Island Governor Woo Promises the Objective Settlement of the Naval Base Issue (July 8, 2010)

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* See all the blogs on the Jeju naval base issue (160 on the date of July 25, 2010)
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▲ 제주특별자치도의 제1회 추가경정예산안 세부사업 설명서에 기재된 해군기지 관련 예산. (미디어제주)

▲ Naval base related budget mentioned in the explanatory note in the 1st revised supplementary budget draft by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Island. (Media jeju)


미디어 제주 Media Jeju

퇴짜 맞았던 해군기지 사업비 또 편성, "왜?"
[초점] 민선 5기 도정 첫 추경안, 해군기지 사업비 편성 '논란' '테마공원' 예산 또 편성...해군기지 홍보목적 '그린홈' 예산도 반영

The Naval Base Budget Rejected [Last year] Was Compiled Again? Why?
[Focus] ‘Controversy’ on the Compilation of the Budget for the Naval base, in the 1st Revised Supplementary Budget Draft of the 5th Civilian-Elected Island Government : Budget for the ‘Theme Park’ Was Compiled Again... while the Budget for the “Green Home’ for the Purpose of the Information on the Naval Base Was Reflected, also.

2010년 07월 23일 (금) 17:07:31

Friday, July 23, 2010

윤철수 기자(media (at) mediajeju.com)

Yoon Chul-Soo, Reporter (media (at) mediajeju.com)

제주특별자치도가 민선 5기 출범 후 처음으로 편성한 올해 제1차 추가경정예산안에 서귀포시 강정마을 해군기지 관련 예산을 또다시 반영시킨 것으로 확인돼 논란이 예상된다.

Controversy is expected as the Jeju Special-Governing Island has again reflected the naval base related budget for the Gangjeong village, City of Seogwipo, in its 1st revised supplementary budget draft this year, which was compiled for the first time since its launch of the 5th civilian-elected government [in the beginning of July].

제주자치도가 도의회에 제출한 제1회 추경안의 항목별 예산을 보면, 민간자본보조 강정그린홈 보급사업에 13억8990만원(지방비 6억9495만원, 국비 6억9495만원), 그리고 강정마을 농어촌 테마공원 조성사업에 15억원(지방비) 등이 포함돼 있다.

Looking at the items of the 1st revised supplementary budget draft that the Jeju Self-Governing Island has submitted to the Island Assembly, it includes 1,389,900,000 won (local budget 694,950,000 won + national budget 694,950,000 won) [about $1,160,000: local budget $ 580,000 + $ 580,000] for the Gangjeong Green Home replenishment business supported by civilian capital; and 1.5billion won (local cost) [about $ 1. 3 billion]for the farming & fishing village theme park formation business in the Gangjeong village.

이 외에도 강정마을 관련 도로건설 사업에도 예산이 반영됐다.

Beside it, budget was reflected in the Gangjeong village related road construction business, too.

이 예산들은 모두 제주해군기지와 관련된 사업으로, 제주자치도는 지난해 연말 도의회에 제출한 올해 당초예산에서도 해군기지 관련 사업비를 대거 편성했다가 도의회 심의과정에서 철퇴를 맞은 바 있다.

These budgets are all related to the Jeju naval base business, and the Jeju Self-Governing Island has been rejected of its this year’s outset budget that it submitted to the Island Council at the end of last year and in which it largely compiled the budget related to the naval base business.


#당초 예산 전액 삭감 테마공원 조성사업비, 또 편성

# Budget for the formation of the theme park that had been all curtailed in the Outset was again compiled.

그런데, 강정마을 농어촌 테마공원 조성사업 예산은 지난해 말 도의회 심의과정에서 전액 삭감된 사업 중 하나다.

And the budget for the formation on the farming & fishing village theme park of the Gangjeong village is one of the undertakings of which all of it has been curtailed during the review process in the Island Council at the end of last year.

제주자치도는 예산설명서를 통해 민군 복합관광미항 건설에 따른 지원사업으로, 강정마을 일대에 총사업비 250억원(국비 125억원, 지방비 125억원)을 들여 해양생태관광을 활성화하기 위한 어촌비지니스 모델인 테마공원을 조성하기 위함이라고 설명했다.

The Jeju Self-Governing Island explained through its budget explanatory note that it was for the support undertaking following the construction of the civilian-military complex beauty tour harbor, and it was for the construction of the theme park as a fishing village business model that is to vitalize the maritime ecology tour in the area of the Gangjeong village, with the total business cost of 25billion won (national cost 12.5billion won and local cost 12.5billion won)[21.6million$, national cost 10.8million $, local cost 10.8million $]

투자규모가 250억원에 달함에도 불구하고, 투융자 심사 대상에서는 제외됐다.

Even though its investment scale reaches to 25 billion won[ 21.6million $], it has been excluded from the review objects of the loans and investments.

올해 당초 예산에 국비가 15억원 반영됐기 때문에 이번 제1회 추경에서는 지방비 15억원을 편성했고, 내년에도 국비와 지방비 각 10억원, 그리고 2014년까지 국비와 지방비 각 100억원을 추가로 편성한다는 계획이다.

The plan is since the national cost of 1.5billion won was reflected in the outset budget this year, [the Island] has compiled the local budget of 1.5billion won in the 1st revised supplementary budget this time; it would compile the 10billion won each for the national cost and local cost; and it would additionally compile the 10billion won for the national cost and local cost each by 2014.

제주자치도는 지난 4월2일 이 사업에 대한 기본계획 용역이 착수돼 10월 용역보고서가 나오면 12월쯤 실시설계에 착수하고, 내년부터 2014년까지 사업을 추진할 계획인 것으로 알려졌다.

It was known that the Jeju Self-Governing Island would set up the carrying-out plan around this December once the report on the service comes out around this October, and it would drive for the business from next year to 2014, as the basic plan service on that undertaking was set-up on last April 2.

#강정그린홈 보급사업 기대효과엔 "해군기지 건설 주민 이해증진"

# [The Island] explains on the expectation effect of the replenishment business of the Gangjeong Green Home, that it is for the “ promotion of the villagers’ interest regarding the naval base construction.”

두번째 강정그린홈 보급사업의 경우 예산편성의 근거를 민군 복합형 관광미항 건설과 관련한 기본협약서를 들고 있다.

Second, in case of the replenishment business of the Gangjeong Green Home, it mentions the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to the construction of the civilian-military complex beauty harbor for tour, as the base for the compilation of the budget.

이 사업은 주민들의 에너지 비용을 절감시키고 신.재생에너지 보급 확대로 에너지 자급률을 제고시키는 것을 목적으로 해 올 연말까지 강정동 65가구에 195kW 규모의 주택용 태양광발전시설을 하는 것을 주 내용으로 한다.

Its main content is, aiming the curtailment of the villagers’ energy cost and the promotion of the villagers’ energy self-sufficiency degree with the supply expansion of the new & recycling energy, to build the 195kW scale of the solar energy for residence usage in the 65 households of the Gangjeong-dong.

제주자치도는 지난 4월 국비지원대상으로 확정돼 이번에 추경에 반영했다고 설명했다.

The Jeju Self-Governing Island explained that it was decided as the item of the national cost support last April therefore the Island reflected it in the revised supplementary budget this time.

얼핏보면 신재생에너지 보급 차원에서 이뤄지는 것 같지만, 예산설명서의 '기대효과' 란에서는 "해군기지 건설에 대한 주민의 이해증진", "해군기지를 방문하는 관광객 등에게 강정마을의 청정이미지 제고"를 기재하고 있다.

Even though it looks like it is for the purpose of the new & recycling energy supply in a glance, the Island states that it is for the “promotion for the villagers’ understanding on the naval base construction,” and “ improvement on the clean image of the Gangjeong village for the tourists who visit the naval base,” in the clause of the ‘expectation effect’ in the budget explanatory note.

즉, 해군기지 건설의 당위성을 강조하는 한편 주민들을 설득시킬 목적이 내포돼 있음을 알리는 것이다.

To say again, while it is to emphasize the ‘should-be-done’ of the naval base, it is to inform that there is the intention of the purpose to persuade the villagers.

#해군기지 사업비 편성, 모처럼 조성된 '대화 국면' 경색시킬 우려

# Concern is raised that the compilation for the naval base business budget would deadlock the ‘dialogue phase’ that has been formed at long last

이러한 해군기지 예산편성은 민선 5기 도정이 출범한 후 "주민의 편에 선 문제해결"과 "해군기지 공사 중지명령" 등으로 모처럼 대화의 물꼬가 튼 강정마을 주민들과 제주도당국의 관계를 또다시 경색되게 하는 요인으로 작용할 것으로 보인다.

Such budget compilation of the naval base seems that it would work out as the element of the deadlock again the relationship between the Gangjeong villagers and Jeju Island authority who have made the breakthrough for the dialogue at long last after the words of “settlement of the issue from the side of the villagers,” and “ order to suspend the construction for the naval base,” by the 5th civilian-elected Island government since its launch [in the beginning of July].

벌써부터 도의회 내부에서는 당초 예산 심의과정에서 삭감된 사업비를 다시 반영한 것을 두고 이해할 수 없다는 반응을 보이고 있다.

Already inside the Island Council, some members express their response that they cannot understand why the Island government has again reflected the business budget that has been curtailed during the review process of the outset budget.

모 의원은 "작년 연말 도의회 예결위에서 충분히 논의한 후 도민정서를 감안해 관련 사업비를 전액 삭감시켰는데, 새로운 도정이 출범한지 얼마되지 않아 또다시 이 예산서를 들이미는 것은 이해가 되지 않는다"고 말했다.

A Council member told that, “ While the budget settlement committee of the Island council has curtailed all the [naval base] related budget last year, , after enough discussion, considering the sentiment of Island people, it is hardly understandable that the new Island government submit the [same] budget draft again not long after its launch.

그는 "현 상황은 행정과 주민간의 갈등관계가 다소 완화되기는 했으나, 뚜렷하게 달라진 것은 하나도 없다"면서 "그럼에도 그린홈 보급사업의 목적을 해군기지 건설의 당위성을 홍보하기 위한 것으로 적시하면서 예산서를 제출한 것은 사업추진 배경을 의심케 한다"고 말했다.

Saying, “ In the current situation, even though the conflict relationship between the administration and the villagers has rather mitigated, nothing has been remarkably changed,” he told that, “Despite that, the [new] Island government submitted its budget report, mentioning the purpose of the Green Home promotion business for informing the should-be-done of the construction of the naval base and I cannot but suspect the background behind the drive for the business.”

제주특별자치도의회는 오는 27일 제273회 임시회를 열고 제주도가 제출한 제1회 추가경정예산안을 심사할 예정인 가운데, 이 해군기지 관련 사업비를 놓고 많은 논란이 예상된다.

While the Jeju Special Self-Governing Island plans to review the 1st revised supplementary draft that the Jeju island government submitted, in its 273rd temporary meeting on coming 27, it is expected there would be much controversy on the budget related to the naval base.



<윤철수 기자 / 저작권자 ⓒ 미디어제주 무단전재및 재배포 금지>