White Mare Infantry Div. arrived at Ninh Hoa - Sept 22, 1966
To our South Korean allies: thank you!
Posted on 10/17/2003 8:46:34 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
South Korea to Send Troops to Iraq
1 hour, 22 minutes ago
By JAE-SUK YOO, Associated Press Writer
SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea (news - web sites) said Saturday it would send additional troops to help U.S. forces rebuild and stabilize Iraq (news - web sites).
"The government will decide on the number, characteristics and timing of the dispatch after considering the U.S. request and public opinion," said Yoon Tae-young, a spokesman for South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
Yoon did not clarify whether the unidentified number of new troops will be combat or non-combat forces. South Korea has sent 675 non-combat troops to Iraq earlier this year.
South Korea also plans to contribute $200 million in the next four years to help rebuild Iraq, Yoon said.
Seoul's decision came two days after the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a U.S.-led resolution aimed at getting more troops and money to help stabilize Iraq and speed its independence.
The United States has been asking South Korea to send troops to help restore security.
South Korean officials said the United States didn't specify how many troops it wanted, but cited the Polish-led international division of 9,500 troops operating in southern Iraq as an example for South Korean involvement.
South Korea had been saying it would make a decision after considering several factors, including public opinion.
Koreans are divided over sending troops to Iraq. Some believe it would boost Seoul's military alliance with Washington, which is vital to South Korea's national security. Others say the U.S. war in Iraq was unjustified and South Korea shouldn't send soldiers.
The earlier dispatch of non-combat troops prompted protests in Seoul.
President Roh has also said he fears that if South Korea is distracted by operations in Iraq, North Korea (news - web sites) could take measures that would cause a deterioration of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution calling for international support of the reconstruction effort on Thursday. The vote was seen as a diplomatic victory for Washington after the bitter international dispute over the war.
Some 37,000 U.S. troops are based in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.
White Mare Infantry Div. arrived at Ninh Hoa - Sept 22, 1966
To our South Korean allies: thank you!
For more on our current military relationship with S. Korea:
8 Secretary Rumsfeld Remarks at the U.S./Korean Business Council Luncheon ~ Pentagon | 9/23/03 | SOD Donald Rumsfeld
(NON-UN-ilateral, ping!)
If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).
President George W. Bush and President Kim Dae-Jung proceed through an arrival ceremony at the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Feb. 20. "I understand how important this relationship is to our country, and the United States is strongly committed to the security of South Korea. We'll honor our commitments. Make no mistake about it that we stand firm behind peace in the Peninsula."
Memo to Dead Men Walking (Ba'athist and terrorist cockroaches in Iraq):
This ain't no disco.
Chia seeds were eaten by Indian runners for stamina.
When we eat Kim Jong Il, North Korea will see a quantum leap in its holistic health.
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