Reports are that a plan to send a medical support team of approximately 150 to Central Asia is the one likely to be implemented as Korea assists the US in its war against terrorism. The details must be finalized by the Korean and US authorities, but since troops of one sort or another are going to be sent anyway, the government has made a realistic choice, one that maintains both practical benefits and obligations.

Debate is going on among civic and social groups and within academia about the Korean military participating in America's war in Afghanistan. While certainly a worthwhile debate, we also need to take a cold look at the situation Korea finds itself in. Korea and the US are allies under a mutual defense treaty. Weak country that we are militarily, we have no choice but to consider the disadvantages that might come our way if we dodge our 'duty' as an ally. The question of how intense an alliance is maintained relates directly to the United States Forces Korea, an important element in our security. We must also give deep consideration to how Britain, France, and Germany have been unable to ignore the US's requests for 'cooperation.' There is also a need to look at the case of Japan, which despite having spent massive amounts of money, has been unable to win credit for sending human support.

Another reason Korea cannot avoid sending troops is because of our moral duty as a member of human society. Flying airplanes carrying hundreds of people into a high-rise building holding thousands more is a barbaric crime that can in no way be justified. The inhumanity and violence of the act must not be forgotten. Animosity towards the US, the last remaining power that moves and shakes the world order, is another issue. One also needs to look at the incident from a greater perspective, and the fact is that at any given moment, anyone can fall victim to acts of terror, since, unlike war, terrorism comes unannounced. Furthermore, we remain in a state of confrontation with a group that remains on the list of 'terror supporting nations,' one that ranks third or fourth around the world for its biological and chemical weapons capabilities. It should only be a matter of course that we send forces for the sake of eradicating terrorism, because it is inhuman and against civilization.

Sending a suitable sized detachment as the war in Afghanistan essentially comes to an end is also an opportunity that, used wisely, can satisfy both practical interests and obligations. Sending combat troops to far off locations has been no small burden, however, so sending medical troops to another country in Central Asia such as Uzbekistan or Tajikistan is a wise choice of direction for Korean participation.

(November 27, 2001)