The National Security Council (NSC) said Monday...South Korea will support the U.S. war on terrorism by sending medical staff, transport aircraft and ships and non-combat forces. The government did not rule out the future dispatch of combat troops, saying it would depend on how the situation develops.
A presidential security aide said...Unification Minister Hong Soon-young led the NSC session Sunday and chose a set of support measures.
The official said...Seoul will send a liaison team to the United States for coordination and to create a counter-terrorism task force at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He said...while ruling out combat troops "at this moment," the government will "review the issues in overall consideration" of the international trend, U.S. requests, public consensus, and South Korea's relations with Middle East and Arab nations.
Kim said...the United States has not requested combat troops from South Korea as yet.
Officials said Seoul is also considering cost-sharing of the anti-terrorism war as it did during the Gulf War.