[AmericanInTokyo]

OK. So they aren't Combat Troops and it isn't all-together 'altruistic'.

However, they are needed, they are on the way now, and it was a LANDSLIDE SOUTH KOREAN PARLIAMENTARY VOTE IN FAVOR with a lot of angry leftist de-Genova-type anti-US demonstrators in the Seoul streets dejected, and it is a heck of a lot more than France is doing to support the Good Guys!

E-Mail, Wire, Call, Write the S. Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. to say "Kamsahamnnida" ("Thanks!")

[JohnHuang2]

Bump!

[kevao]

Yet another country joining our unilateral invasion of Iraq.

[areafiftyone]

See this previous Posting HERE

[Happygal]

Good news ping

[ladtx]

Good news. I served a year in S. Korea in 77-78. I truly enjoyed it. Even though it was 25 years ago I still believe the Koreans are a good and happy people despite what we get on the news over here covering demonstrators in the streets.

[tiki]

I think they are saying something like: "We get the picture and we are now definitely on your side."

[JohnHuang2]

"I'm deeply, deeply saddened to learn of this," Tommy Daschle (D-Baghdad) told a news conference Wednesday.

[concerned about politics]

Ahead of the vote, Millennium Democratic Party members Kim Keun-Tae, Jong Bum-goo and Kim Seong-Ho, Grand National Party (GNP) members Suh Sang Suhp, and People’s Party for Reform’s Kim Won Wung opposed the dispatch, saying the war on Iraq in an invasion without any justification.

Go figure.

[SamAdams76]

Better late than never, once the fighting is over, we'll need all the help we can get. Also, South Korea might be soon needing our help to deal with the nutcases to their north.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

it isn't all-together 'altruistic'.

I don't really fault them for that. Nations always act in what they perceive to be their best interest. Our job is to convince them that cooperating with us is truly in their best interest.

[ken5050]

They'll be used in the interrogation of Iraqi prisoners....justwait till the fedayeen start getting kimchee to eat 3x a day....

[FreeTheHostages]

Nope, I'm not saying thanks.

These guys are still spitting in our eyes -- kowtowing to the North Koreans and emboldening the North Koreans, and then blaming us for not stopping the fire they helped to set.

What the South Korean government has done in North Korean policy is shameful, and I know many of the older South Koreans agree. South Korea should continue to feel our cold shoulder until they elect leaders who know who their friends are.

[Salvation]

"Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."
~~George W. Bush

[Salvation]

As posted by FoxNews.com

South Korea Approves Dispatch of Non-Combat Troops to Iraq

Wednesday, April 02, 2003

SEOUL, South Korea  — South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday authorized the dispatch of non-combat troops to support the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

The decision by the National Assembly came hours after President Roh Moo-hyun said the deployment would strengthen the U.S.-South Korean alliance, thereby helping to peacefully resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea.

The one-house National Assembly voted amid anti-war sentiment in South Korea and concerns that the United States might eventually attack North Korea.

Outside parliament, hundreds of anti-war activists waved "Stop the War" signs as they kicked, punched and hurled water bottles at riot police.

Police beat them back with plastic shields. At least two demonstrators were injured, blood streaming down their faces.

Roh has struggled to muster parliamentary support for the deployment of 600 South Korean military engineers and 100 medics in the Gulf, as the parliament wavered and delayed voting on the bill twice last week.

Speaking to parliament, Roh told lawmakers that the deployment of South Korean troops would strengthen Seoul's alliance with Washington.

"The fate of the country and the people depends on my decision," he said. "I came to the conclusion that helping the United States in difficult times and maintaining friendly U.S.-South Korean relations will help a lot in peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear issue."

Washington has accused North Korea of developing nuclear weapons and the North has accused the United States of planning to invade. U.S. officials say they want a peaceful solution to the nuclear standoff, but have not ruled out a military option.

Roh said there would not be a war on the Korean Peninsula if South Koreans don't want it.

"The United States will not deal with the North's nuclear issue unilaterally," Roh said.

About 37,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed in South Korea.

[gaijin]

Mr. Roh should rest assured that the US will mediate between the Iraqi locals and South Korean troops....

[Grampa Dave]

This is a big turn around from a few months ago.

I guess that they didn't like hearing from Americans $crew you, no more Korean cars/suvs, and we will pull our troops out and let the NK's and Japanese decide your fate.

[cake_crumb]

"Helping the United States and ensuring close Korea-United States ties is a much better than seeing the relationship deteriorate and trying to justifying it by a failure to deal with North Korea’s nuclear issue," President Roh said in a speech earlier today to the National Assembly."

It was the UN IAEA's head inspector Hans Blix who failed to deal with North Korea's nuclear issue, during the Clintonista years. However, I find the apparent pragmatism of President Roh's comment to be a hopeful sign.

President Bush hasn't forgotten DPRNK's possible nukes.

Right around his inauguration, I had heard some not very complimentary assessments about Roh...has he been misjudged, perhaps?

[strela]

"Use up the Irish. Arrows cost money - the dead cost nothing."

[anymouse]

Kim Jong il call your broker, your stock is falling fast.

[Gamecock]

OK. So they aren't Combat Troops

No, but guess where you find the engineers? Often they are in front of the warfighters, clearing minefields, building bridges for armour, etc. 800 engineers is quite a boost to any Army.