No Comment on ROK-US Alliance Could Produce Various Interpretations

The presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, which is reflecting over whether to dispatch combat forces to Iraq, is showing a slightly different view from the position they took in March when the nation sent non-combat troops to it. A majority of the Presidential Office believes that alliance with the U.S. is not the most important and absolute factor to consider in deciding whether to send the troops.

This anti-America sentiment is also being echoed by President Roh Moo-hyun, who has put emphasis on careful judgment repeatedly.

At a meeting with media outlets from Gwangju and South Jeolla province, the president listed important factors in deciding whether to dispatch troops following the U.S. request: public opinion; national interests; Korea`s potential status in the international community; and relations with the Arab world in the future. However, he did not comment on Korea-U.S. alliance, which proponents within the government are raising as a cause for the troop dispatch.

˝National interests and security are important, but what benefit it will bring to the Iraqi people is also important as well in our decision on this issue,˝ Ra Jong-yil, senior advisor the president for national security, said on Thursday, putting emphasis on relations with Iraq, which will soon recover sovereignty over its territory.

Remarks made by the president and his senior advisor are a departure from the president previous position in March. At that time, Mr. Roh approved the idea of dispatching non-combat troops to Iraq, saying that supporting the U.S. war efforts in Iraq is to the best interest of the nation, considering various factors, including importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance. The president’s turnabout is based on the conclusion that just upholding the U.S. request would not be a good cause for the dispatch of combat troops this time.

Cheong Wa Dae`s current position to place the nation`s status in the international community and future relations with the Arab world, including Iraq, before Korea-U.S. relations is interpreted as being conscious of justification and formality in its decision on this issue.

˝This time the U.S. requested us to send combat troops, so we can be viewed as a warlike nation by nations around the world if we accepts the request,˝ an official of the National Security Council (NSC) said. ˝It is important to help our most important ally, but we cannot help but being conscious of our relations with other Middle East nations, after the resolution of the Iraqi issue.˝

Against this backdrop, Cheong Wa Dae is keeping an eye on the United Nations` attitude. Cheong Wa Dae and NSC officials see that the conclusion may not be made until in two weeks, which hints that what conclusion the U.N. is making will affect its decision.

That Cheong Wa Dae does not give much priority to alliance with the U.S. seems based on political consideration. In other words, prior to next year`s general election, it plans to do its best to prevent Roh supporters that are against the U.S. and oppose the troop dispatch from breaking away.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com