Medics, Support Offered To U.S. Anti-Terror Effort

The South Korean government said Monday that it would dispatch a medical team, transport planes and ships to support America in its war against terrorism. The decision came at a National Security Council meeting at the Blue House.

Cabinet members did not rule out the possibility of sending combat troops.

"It is not the right time to discuss that," said Kim Ha-joong, presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security. "A decision will be made after we consider the state of fighting, international movements, U.S. requests, public opinion and relations with Middle Eastern countries."

Specific dates and the size of the medical team will be decided after discussions with the United States, Mr. Kim said. In 1991, Seoul contributed 154 medics, five C-130 planes and $500 million to the Persian Gulf War. The government is considering lending financial support this time as well.

Policymakers said that they would also dispatch liaison officers, set up an anti-terrorism team at the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, share information with the United States and actively participate in the international alliance against terrorism.

"No request has been made by the United States," Mr. Kim said. "We decided that it would be more desirable to express our intention to support the United States before any attacks."

South Korea and United States have a mutual defense treaty in force. "It would be difficult to refuse the United States' request for special commandos," said an official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A Defense Ministry official elaborated, saying, "Even in the case of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula, we invariably need to lend active support to the United States."

Seoul did not want to lag behind other U.S. allies in pledging support. Four countries, including Britain, have said they would send soldiers, and 18 others, including Japan, have offered non-military assistance. Japan's pledge, which might involve amending its pacifist constitution, was especially noted by Seoul, government insiders said.

A further consideration was the 2002 World Cup, which Seoul does not want to be vulnerable to terrorism.

by Kim Jin-kook