MND: “Security of Kirkuk At Stake”

Recently, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has assessed the security status of Kirkuk, where additional Korean troops will be dispatched, as “dangerous,” and is tracking down measures to raise the safety management of the soldiers.

In accordance with the situation in Kirkuk, Kim Jang-su, the chief of the operation department of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs Headquarters said on March 8 that “in the last year, there have been several trench mortar attacks against U.S. forces per week, but recently, the level of attack has increased to include street bombs, sudden raids, and car bombings.” He added, “Due to the mopping-up operation of the US forces in the Sunni-Triangle area such as Baghdad, the terrorists and insurgents are gathering at Kirkuk.”

It is the first time for MND to officially corroborate the aggravated condition of the area where Korean forces will be stationed.

In relation to this situation, it has been known that working groups of U.S. forces in Kirkuk have passed on their intention to leave some portion of their troops for sentinel use in places under charge of U.S., forces such as Kirkuk airport.

“Because our forces will also be stationed at the airport, it will give a false impression of Korean forces being identical with those of the U.S.,” said Kim, adding, “After confirming as to whether this information has come from the U.S. general staffs, we will decide in consideration to the safety of our forces and the independent right of conducting operations.”

On the other hand, the Joint Chiefs of Staffs have expanded the boundary areas which are located at the outskirts of the army posts in order to increase their capability in coping with the terror attacks, hiring out helicopters from U.S. forces. The “Zaitoon” group, which means olive in Arabic, will be dispatched to Kirkuk starting April 7. It has been postponed a week from its original plan, in accordance with the transportation situation in Iraq.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com