Reply #62: Well, there is the problem of nuclear proliferation

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and the sales of nuclear arms to not-so-friendly states and organizations, not to mention the nukes could be let loose in heavily populated areas in East Asia, like Japan and SKorea. And if the NKoreans finish developing their long-range Taepodong (sp) missiles, the Northwestern states would be in danger. Can't take that risk, so there are reasons to keep troops nearby.

The US is also interested in keeping the geopolitical balance in EAsia, especially with respect to China. As long as there is a degree of predictability in the Korean peninsula, the Chinese would be more hesitant to flex their muscle within their region, and that would be a good thing, for the US and Taiwan. I don't think the US is palsy-walsy enough with the Chinese to trust them to handle the situation properly.

And I didn't really understand what you meant by Koreans being a medicated bunch.