The Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday that it had decided to send a 450 strong non-combatant unit to support the US-led war against terrorism, subject to discussions with American forces. A ministry source said that this would include 120 medical support personnel, a 4000-ton tank landing ship (LST) with a crew of 170, four CH-130s with crews and ground staff numbering 150, and ten liaison officers.

Minister Kim Dong-shin met with Han Kwang-ok, titular head of the Millennium Democratic Party to inform him of this plan.

The source said the medical team will consist of five mobile surgical hospitals staffed with five doctors and 45 nurses, and 70 guards. The LST will carry six armored cars and one helicopter.

(Yoo Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )