Minerals critical to U.S. national security - photo

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I had a university professor late 70s that claimed that we were not in Vietnam to "save the world from communism". That was a cover story, as during our time there, we mined a 40 year stock pile of Tin ore. Which seem much more believable, as France was not doing well with their imperial claim, and decided to leave.
I would like to know why we are in South Korea, as I don't believe it has anything to do with stopping the spread of communism. What mineral resources do they have, that have been removed to our gain all these years? Our appetite to maintain a low cost of living has driven our government to manipulate too many foreign governments to where their citizens hate us, and are willing to get revenge by suicide. And our government is good at spreading propaganda, as well our news media to make it look like it's all unprovoked attacks.
All's good, I'm living a happy life, and it's affordable to consume goods, that are always in stock and plentiful.