≡ US Not Considering Pulling Troops From S. Korea, Japan: Knapper
A senior U.S. official has dismissed the idea of pulling American troops from South Korea and Japan, but urged its allies to bear higher costs for U.S. defense.
During a press briefing in Washington on Friday local time, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Korea and Japan Marc Knapper denied any possibility of pulling troops out of the Asian countries at the moment, saying the U.S. considers its duty of defense as "sacred."
He made the remarks in response to a question regarding a withdrawal plan of U.S. troops from the Middle East amid tensions with Iran.
He then added that Washington believes its allies can and should do more, referring to President Donald Trump's consistent stance on the allies' defense cost-sharing deal.
His remarks come after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper penned a joint opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal saying South Korea is an ally, not a dependent, and should contribute more to its national defense.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>[2020.01.26]
≡ Almost All S. Korean Parents Have Children Receive Private Education: Survey
A recent poll shows almost all South Korean parents have their children receive after-school education including from private tutors and cram schools.
According to the survey conducted by the state-run Korean Educational Development Institute on 4,000 parents in August and September last year, 98 percent said their children obtained some form of private education apart from their school classes.
When asked for the reason, 25 percent said they want their children to excel in their future careers, while more than 23 percent said they feel uneasy not providing their children with private education when other parents do.
Only two percent of respondents said they do not provide their children any extracurricular classes.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>[2020.01.26]
