As Sad as It Is, US Soldiers Should Not Be Dispatched

The Minister of National Defense, Kim Dong-Shin made known to the newly appointed US ambassador to Korea, Thomas Herbard, during his visit to the Ministry of National Defense of her `intention to support` America`s terror revenge. Ever since, on the homepage of the Ministry of National Defense along with other on-line notice-boards, several netizens have talked about the need for an `attitude of prudence` in offering military support.

As of today (16th), thirty some messages have been posted on the homepage of the Ministry of National Defense concerning the dispatching of our soldiers and lending economic and military support. Eighty per cent of these messages show a negative response toward the government`s dealing with support for America.

A netizen with the ID `tax-payer` stated, ``If Korea hastily decides to lend military support to America with the World Cup event only a year away, Korea could very well become the next terrorist target. I oppose the idea of our people`s taxes being used for military support instead of aiding to the casualties.``

A netizen `Hong Jin-Young` claimed that, ``While I am sympathetic with the Americans who suffered such terror, I am absolutely against the dispatch of troops. America has enough resources to restore herself without external aid.``

There were also four or five messages posted on PC communication notice-boards such as Chollian expressing concern towards Korea`s military support for America`s revenge

A netizen who posted a message on the notice-board of Hi-Tel claimed that, `There`s not even a one percent reason why a third nation like us should lend military support`.

However, some netizens talked about our nation`s responsibility as the country of the chairman of the United Nations, and showed positive responses concerning military support.

A netizen called `patriot` left a message on the homepage of the Ministry of National Defense stating, ``Gaining combat experience in a desert region will promote our military combat power and ability to adapt to modern warfare. If we participate with Japan and other advanced nations, we will benefit from significant developments in the defense industry.`` During the Gulf War in 1991, our military dispatched 154 medical supporters and five C130 transport aircrafts to Saudi Arabia and UAE for about three months. As for combat forces, about four hundred members of the Sang-Rok-Soo squad were dispatched to East Timor since 1999.

Choi Ho-Won bestiger@donga.com