It Is Possible to Dispatch an Additional Survey Team to Iraq

Prior to deciding whether or not to send combat troops to Iraq, controversy based on the result of a survey and its reliance is being raised because of the differing opinions among members of the joint team, which has already been to Iraq.

At the press interview October 7, chief inspector Kang Dae-young, vice-director of the Policy Planning Bureau’s under the Ministry of National Defense said, “It is a mistake that the joint team’s activity in Iraq is only a ‘superficial survey’ based on the utterance of professor Park Gen-young of the Catholic University of Korea, who joined the team as a civilian expert.”

Kang said, “In the case of Mosul, which raised the issue of sending Korean combatants, professor Park’s assertion that ‘Only forty minutes’ scouting in a helicopter and a car and five minutes’ interview with the natives for the survey’ on October 6 is not true,” and refuted, “With Park’s claim, we kept a sharp look-out on a busy street in Mosul during twenty minutes on foot.” In connection with Park’s assertion that the survey was a restricted one, Kang retorted, “Four days before sending the joint team, a ‘Preliminary Movement Survey Team’ was sent to northern Iraq, and the survey team polled the public on central figures and residents. The result of poll was included on the synthesis report.” Kang also said, “Park expressed his regret on the misinterpretation of his real intention, and he said we could open his personal report to the public.” Kang opened Park’s personal report to the public. In his report, Park expressed his opinion that giving consideration to the aims of sending troops, maintenance of the public order and support for the people that it is desirable for the Korean government, if they choose to dispatch military personnel, to send a force made up of military policemen, combat crews, administrative military affairs, and military power for protecting forces.

Meanwhile, in connection to the commotion over the joint team’s unreliable survey, Ban Ki-moon, President Roh Moo-hyun`s foreign policy adviser said on October 7 that, “I think the government should give careful consideration to send an additional survey team if it is necessary.”

“I am not sure how matters stand in Korea but judging from the press reports, there is a controversial move in the first joint team,” said Ban, who is accompanying President Roh Moo-hyun to Indonesia, at this day’s briefing.

Sang-Ho Yun Jeong-Hun Kim ysh1005@donga.com jnghn@donga.com