Afghan plan under wraps until after fact-finding trip
Published: 29 Oct. 2009, 23:01
Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan yesterday briefed the nation’s political parties on the government’s plan to dispatch civilian workers and non-combat troops to Afghanistan.
The Foreign Ministry said the plan will be finalized after a government fact-finding unit completes its on-site investigation within the year.
A high-ranking Foreign Ministry official said yesterday Yu was to meet with officials from the ruling Grand National Party and the minor opposition Liberty Forward Party. Democratic Party officials postponed their meeting to today, citing pressing domestic concerns.
The official declined to elaborate on details of the government plan. On Monday, Yu told the National Assembly that at least 130 civilian professionals will be sent to Afghanistan to support rebuilding work in the war-ravaged nation. Since then, sources have said the government is considering sending about 300 troops to protect those workers.
In a press briefing yesterday, ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said the ministry will officially announce the decision to dispatch civilians and troops after finishing its talks with the parties. He also refused to offer further details.
Moon explained that once the government decides to send individuals, it will first dispatch a fact-finding team to Afghanistan to assess dangers and threats. Moon said the government would only have a rough idea of the specific number of troops needed. The size of the contingent will be determined after the on-site inspections are complete.
“The goal of these troops will be to protect civilians and facilities,” Moon said. “They won’t be on combat duty. But we haven’t decided yet whether to send soldiers or police officers.”
Today, about 30 Koreans, mostly medical professionals, work in a hospital inside the Bagram U.S. air base. They are under the protection of American military forces. Korea pulled medics and engineers out of the country in 2007 after Taliban forces abducted 23 Korean missionaries and killed two. The dispatch of troops overseas requires National Assembly approval.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
The Foreign Ministry said the plan will be finalized after a government fact-finding unit completes its on-site investigation within the year.
A high-ranking Foreign Ministry official said yesterday Yu was to meet with officials from the ruling Grand National Party and the minor opposition Liberty Forward Party. Democratic Party officials postponed their meeting to today, citing pressing domestic concerns.
The official declined to elaborate on details of the government plan. On Monday, Yu told the National Assembly that at least 130 civilian professionals will be sent to Afghanistan to support rebuilding work in the war-ravaged nation. Since then, sources have said the government is considering sending about 300 troops to protect those workers.
In a press briefing yesterday, ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said the ministry will officially announce the decision to dispatch civilians and troops after finishing its talks with the parties. He also refused to offer further details.
Moon explained that once the government decides to send individuals, it will first dispatch a fact-finding team to Afghanistan to assess dangers and threats. Moon said the government would only have a rough idea of the specific number of troops needed. The size of the contingent will be determined after the on-site inspections are complete.
“The goal of these troops will be to protect civilians and facilities,” Moon said. “They won’t be on combat duty. But we haven’t decided yet whether to send soldiers or police officers.”
Today, about 30 Koreans, mostly medical professionals, work in a hospital inside the Bagram U.S. air base. They are under the protection of American military forces. Korea pulled medics and engineers out of the country in 2007 after Taliban forces abducted 23 Korean missionaries and killed two. The dispatch of troops overseas requires National Assembly approval.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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