Ralph Cossa's Oct. 22 article, "Potential for Korean progress," is arrogant because it implies that South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun and his administration are naive and that they need to follow Cossa's advice. It is biased because it reveals Cossa's disgust with the democratically elected Roh government and its initiatives to achieve a durable peace with North Korea.
It appears that Cossa is stuck in the Cold War and doesn't want a solution that does not entail North Korea's total capitulation and humiliation. He also seems extremely disappointed that U.S. influence over the South Korean government is fading fast.
The crux of Cossa's concern is that a peace agreement might end U.S. military exercises and indeed erode the supposed primary rationale for the U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula. He argues that this presence is necessary to maintain peace and security. But that is apparently not what the Korean people believe or want. Despite Cossa's views, their will should and will prevail. This is the way of democracies.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.