South Korea to Provide Non-Combat Military Resources to U.S.

The government decided to provide military medical support, such as mobile army surgical hospital (MASH) and transportations, such as aircrafts and ships to the U.S. to help the U.S. war against terrorism.

The government also decided to dispatch liaison officers and share terrorist-related information with the U.S. by establishing anti-terrorism unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, while actively participating in the anti-terrorism international solidarity.

General secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) Kim Ha-Joong, President`s top security advisor, announced yesterday that the government made these decisions in a meeting of the NSC, presided over by Minister of Unification Hong Soon-Young, in Cheong Wa Dae on Sunday.

Kim Ha-Joong said, ``We are considering aiding some of the war expenses, as we did during the Gulf War in 1990 through 1991. We will make a decision after considering the war situation.``

In regard to sending of the combat troops, Kim said that ``it is not appropriate to talk about that matter at this time. We will make a decision after considering war situation, international moves, the U.S. request, people`s opinion, and our relations with Middle East countries.``

President Kim Dae-Jung said at the social affair-related ministers` meeting that ``we support the U.S. to eradicate the root of terrorism. If the root of terrorism is not eliminated, we cannot take an airplane, and cannot safely carry out the World Cup Game or Asian Game.``

The government explained the contents of the support of the U.S. to the chairperson of the Millennium Democratic Party Han Kwang-Ok, president of the Grand National Party Lee Hoi-Chang, and the honorary president of the United Liberal Democrats Kim Jong-Pil, and decided to go through the approval procedure at the National Assembly.

After receiving a briefing from Defense Minister Kim Dong-Shin, Lee Hoi-Chang said that ``we are in alliance with the U.S. Since the terrorist attacks in the U.S. is not only the issue of the U.S., but the issue of the world, we have to take active measures and support the U.S.``

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com