U.S. veteran disputes anti-Korea stories

Tensions on the Korean peninsula escalated in August as the U.S. carried out massive “war games” aimed at the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the north. At the same time, the U.S. media said little about the 30,000 U.S. and 50,000 south Korean troops that were menacing the DPRK.

Instead, they were full of stories accusing the DPRK of having planted three landmines in the demilitarized zone that separates the two halves of Korea, mines that injured two south Korean soldiers.

The DPRK rejected the charge, calling it “a ridiculous farce.” A former U.S. soldier who had been stationed in south Korea agrees.

Michael Bassett, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant, had this to say: “Having patrolled those same trails for years as a recon team leader, I find it impossible to believe that KPA (North Korean) soldiers could walk 450 meters south across the military demarcation fence with AP mines in hand, and not get blown up or captured on camera.” Bassett is a member of Veterans for Peace.

The VFP called on its members in an email “to remain skeptical about the mainstream media’s reports on Korea and to call on the White House and Congress to take steps to reduce military tensions in Korea, including entering talks with North Korea, and to support H. Res. 384, which is co-sponsored by three remaining veterans of the Korean War in the Congress, calling for a formal end to the Korean War. War is not the solution; ending the lingering Korean War with a peace treaty is the right answer.”  (veteransforpeace.org)