Hwnag Ui-don, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, confirmed on Thursday that the US’ Ministry of Defense formally requested the Korean government to deploy medical and liaison units in Afghanistan on Wednesday, and the Pentagon is still reviewing Seoul’s offer to dispatch transportation aid. An officer at the ministry added that a formal request for naval and airforce transportation assistance is expected to be made in the near future, following Washington’s additional request.

As the US has officially requested for support, the government will negotiate the specifics of the dispatch, including exact timing and location, and upon obtaining approvals from the cabinets and National Assembly, the deployment order will be executed as early as the end of December.

The government had announced its decision to dispatch non-combat units, mainly medical and transportation supports, at the end of September, and prepared a support team of some 450, including 120 medical helpers, 170 naval transportation officers, 150 airforce transportation officers and 10 liaison officers, to support US’ fight against terrorism. In addition, the government sent a task force of four to discuss a dispatch plan with Washington on Oct. 31.

Kim Dong-shin, minister of national defense, met with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Thursday during his visit to the United States for the 33rd ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting, and delivered the government’s confidence in the success of the current military operation in Afghanistan and said that the US’ request has been received favorably by the government.

(From Washington, Yu Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )