http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...6.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth
So the supposed "puppet" isn't really a puppet like certain people are imagining, caused by incorrect information circulating in Chinese Internet. So if you are wondering why ROK and US hold frequent drills, that's because Korean military need a practice in command and control of combined US/ROK forces under realistic war scenario to be ready by 2015.
Just a small mythbuster.
Come 2015(Delayed from 2012 mentioned in the article thanks to lazy Korean president who was dumping all extra cash on building a grand canal in 4 years instead of taking over the C&C of US troops. 2015 is the final date as the US said they wouldn't wait anymore), the US troops in Korea falls under the command and control of Korean Defense Ministry, with all the war planning and command will be handled by the Korean side.Seoul Weighs Shift in U.S. Military Ties
American and South Korean Leaders Plan New War Games and Strategy Sessions in Face of Rising Tensions With the North
South Korean defense strategists already are publicly pressing Mr. Lee to delay the planned 2012 transfer of operational control of the combined U.S.-South Korean fighting force to Seoul from Washington, arguing South Korea isn't prepared yet to oversee American forces.
Many in South Korea have viewed North Korea's million-man military as largely targeted at the U.S. South Korea's late President Roh Moo-hyun successfully pushed for the U.S. to lower it military profile in his country and to transfer control of the joint military command to South Korea's defense department.
So the supposed "puppet" isn't really a puppet like certain people are imagining, caused by incorrect information circulating in Chinese Internet. So if you are wondering why ROK and US hold frequent drills, that's because Korean military need a practice in command and control of combined US/ROK forces under realistic war scenario to be ready by 2015.
Just a small mythbuster.
