US to Ask for S. Korean Combat TroopsA high-ranking source said Tuesday, that USFK officials had indirectly mentioned the possibility of S. Korea sending a Special Warfare Unit to join US, UK, Australian and Turkish special forces in Afghanistan, noting its soldiers experience in mountain fighting. The source said that no official request had been made, but that given the US government's restraint in requesting countries for combat troops, indirect comments could be interpreted to mean it wants the offer to be made, and so Seoul is looking into the matter.Another source said that it is highly likely an official request would be made in the near future and the government was mulling over how to deal with this due to the negative opinions on this. The administration feels that the US will raise the matter officially at the annual Security Conference Meeting in Washington and is looking for a way to persuade the Americans that using S. Korean combat troops would produce more loss than gain. The S. Korean government has been studying sending 120 medical, 170 sea and 150 air logistics personnel, and 10 liaison officers to Pakistan. |
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