Peel posted:

south korea is important, obviously so. it is a first world country with a first world economy and a first world military in a strategic position right next to 1. america's main international rival and 2. the country america is currently beefing with.

the united states does not care about the opinion of the local public about its bases. it cares about the opinion of the local governments which it relies on for military cooperation. those local governments typically do not care about the opinion of their local publics about the bases, which is why the united states doesn't. the united states is obliged to care about south korea's 'feelings' w/r/t its bases because if those 'feelings' turn against it the bases are gone unless the united states defeats the south korean government, an act which, if even possible, would be a triumph of foreign policy to make iraq 2003 look like panama 1989. one reason it would be so stupid is because south korea doesn't even object to having the bases there, and they have no real reason to do so unless america starts doing stupid poo poo like starting wars with the north without southern consent.