Transport, Medical Aid Are Offered

President Kim Dae-jung said in a special address to the nation Monday that he fully supported the U.S. military campaign against the Taliban government of Afghanistan.

"We must demonstrate our opposition to terrorism through resolute action," Mr. Kim said. "The administration has analyzed possible economic effects and worked out a variety of measures." South Korea is prepared to dispatch a medical support group and transportation vehicles, he added.

Lee Hoi-chang, president of the main opposition Grand National Party, said that he wholeheartedly supported the anti-terrorism effort and that his party would provide bipartisan support necessary for the government to assist the allied war effort.

"North Korea should break its ties to terrorism and apologize for its past terrorist acts, such as the bombing of the Korean Air jetliner," Mr. Lee emphasized during a speech in the National Assembly.

The Korean military and police went on alert Monday, deploying additional forces to protect U.S. and Islamic facilities around the country. The United States Forces Korea also strengthened the protection of its bases. Gen. Thomas Schwartz, commander of the Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command, visited Defense Minister Kim Dong-shin Monday afternoon and discussed cooperative measures between the two countries' militaries.

The police deployed SWAT forces to the U.S. Embassy and six airports around the country, including Incheon. Armored vehicles were placed at the embassy and Incheon airport. Security measures were also strengthened at other embassies, including that of Israel, and at the mosque in Hannam-dong.

The Trade Center in Samseong-dong plans a disaster simulation on Oct. 15. The building houses some 3,000 employees of 230 companies and organizations, including a significant number of foreign ones.

A far smaller number of people than usual were seen around the mosque in Hannam-dong throughout Monday. The mosque is not admitting anyone without a prior appointment. "Muslims in Korea are not surprised by the air raid because it was foreseen," said Abdul Rashid Waesoho, 55, an official at the mosque. "I hope the Korean people don't harbor antagonistic feelings toward Muslims."

Koreans on the street were equally calm about the U.S. attack. More than the military campaign, people tended to fear potentially adverse effects it might have on the Korean economy. An insurance company official said, "Korea's exports will suffer if the war becomes more extensive."

A group of 40 activists staged a protest Monday afternoon in front of the 8th U.S. Army's Yongsan Garrison. They chanted slogans opposing the military campaign and the Korean government's support of it. The group included members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the organization calling for the revision of the Status of Forces Agreement governing the activities of U.S. troops in Korea.

by Kim Jin-kook