He also said the government would bring an eternal peace to the Korean peninsula based on strong national security, the alliance with the US and reconciliation and cooperation with North Korea, aiming for the long-term target of peaceful unification. Opposition Grand National Party leader Lee Hoi-chang also promised close supra-party cooperation with the government in fighting terrorism Monday in his key-note speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly.

Earlier, President Kim ordered an emergency meeting of National Security Council at 8:00am Monday morning to discuss appropriate measures following the US-UK attacks against Taliban force in Afghanistan. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Oh Hong-keun said the government had been notified of the air-war through diplomatic channels around midnight before the attack started.

The government also announced that it would provide food and medical suppies worth US$1 million to refugees from Afganistan.

The crisis management task forces in the Defense Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have gone into operation in preparation for possible contingencies in Korea.

The Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, for its part, formed a crisis management task force, reinforcing surveillance and security checks on and around the Eighth U.S. Army (EUSA) compounds in Yongsan and other US military camps and facilities across the nation. The Defense Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff called in an emergency meeting of senior officials at 1:45am Monday (KST), moments after the attacks on Afghanistan commenced.

Preparing for possible contingencies on the Korean peninsula, the task forces were evaluating the “level of crisis” to be brought by the US-led attacks.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered the reinforcement of surveillance and security checks for major military installations and heightened military readiness for possible contingencies.

Following is the full text of the President's special message to the nation on the war on terrorism.

My fellow Koreans,

Attacks against terrorists have begun. An anti-terrorism war has been launched to safeguard the peace and security of all peoples.

As I have already said, terrorism is the common enemy of humanity and is unacceptable despite any attempted justification. We must demonstrate our opposition to terrorism through resolute action.

We declare once again that we are resolved to provide unreserved support and cooperation for the justifiable action by the international community, including the United States. As part of our efforts, the Administration has already announced cooperative measures, including the dispatch of a medical unit and the offer of transportation vehicles as well as active participation in international campaigns against terrorism.

The current attacks are not part of a war against Islamic nations. They are attacks against the forces that support inhuman terrorists. Most Islamic nations, our friends, aspire for peace. Humanitarian support for the refugees resulting from the attacks must be carried out in parallel.

I hope that the current international alliance and action aimed at rooting out terrorism, that is a common enemy of humanity, will achieve its goal. Thus, it will become an opportunity to begin a peaceful 21st century, in which there will have to be no more war against terrorism.

My fellow Koreans,

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and respect to my fellow Koreans who, trusting the Administration, are calmly and cautiously coping with this world-scale event. At the same time, I highly commend members of our armed forces and police as well as government officials for their emergency readiness around the clock.

It is now time both for the Government and the people to renew their resolve and prepare for any eventuality.

The Administration has already finished detailed studies on the possible effects of the attacks on our economy, diplomacy and national security. We have also worked out diverse measures to deal with any development. More than anything, we are maintaining a strong security posture. Earlier this morning, I instructed the armed forces and police to beef up vigilance. A short while ago, I convened a meeting of the National Security Council to thoroughly prepare for any eventuality. Officials in our embassies and other missions are also on full alert for the safety of Koreans living overseas.

Terrorist attacks are not confined to the United States. No nation in the world is free from them. Our country is no exception. This is all the more true in view of the World Cup and Asian Games, which we will host next year. We must continue to maintain active security measures against terrorism so that people from around the world can visit Korea with peace of mind.

The current developments remind us how precious peace is. At a time when the world is heading toward war, how anxious and insecure we would have been right now, had we not been steadily walking on the path of reconciliation and cooperation with the North? The Administration will continue to try to settle peace on the Peninsula and accomplish peaceful unification, based on a watertight security posture, the alliance with the United States and inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation.

My fellow Koreans,

The terrorist attacks against the United States and the current anti-terrorism war will affect the world economy as well as the Korean economy. The Administration has already analyzed possible economic effects and worked out a variety of measures. It has already formed a joint economic council, covering the governmental and private sectors to cope with the situation. The Administration will try and minimize the adverse effects of the war on all financial and business circles including banking, foreign exchange, price levels and energy.

The Administration and I will safeguard the life of our citizens under all circumstances without fail. I hope that you will go about your daily business calmly as usual. At the same time, I hope that you will trust in the Administration's efforts and cooperate with us. This, I believe, is the best way to deal with the challenges.

Once again, I ask you for your active cooperation. God bless you all. Thank you.