Roh Stands by Deployment of Korean Troops in Iraq

In the face of a threat by Iraqi militants to behead a South Korean hostage, President Roh Moo-hyun said yesterday the government will go ahead with its plan to send additional troops to Iraq and directed various ministries to use all possible means to seek the man`s release.

The kidnappers told South Korea it had 24 hours from Sunday night Iraqi time to abandon the troop deployment or the hostage would be killed.

The government sent senior diplomatic officials to Iraq for negotiations with relevant authorities and worked out other measures after convening an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.

"President Roh instructed related ministries to explain to the Iraqi people that our government is sending troops to Iraq to focus on reconstruction efforts there without engaging in hostile acts there," presidential spokesman Yoon Tai-young told reporters.

After a briefing from his security adviser, the president described the kidnapping of Kim Sun-il, a 33-year-old employee for a Korean supplier for the U.S. military, as "deeply unfortunate and regrettable," Yoon said.

"I request the Foreign Ministry and other related agencies to make all their efforts to save him and address the issue with great care and urgency as Koreans are very concerned about the incident," Roh was quoted as saying.

Vice Foreign Minister Choi Young-jin met 12 Arab diplomats in Seoul and called for their assistance to secure Kim`s safe return.

Choi, who is heading a task force on the kidnap and death threat, also worked out a strategy for the release of Kim as well as the safety of 67 Koreans remaining in the war-torn country.

"There is no change in the government`s spirit and position that it will send troops to Iraq to help establish peace and rebuild Iraq," Choi said at a news briefing following the NSC meeting.

The Foreign Ministry urged Koreans to refrain from visiting post-war Iraq as the kidnapping came amid growing concerns South Korea`s decision to send 3,000 troops to northern Iraqi city of Irbil beginning in early August might prompt terror attacks on Korean nationals.

Once the deployment is complete, South Korea will be the largest coalition partner in Iraq after the United States and Britain. It already has 660 army engineers and medics already operating the war-torn country.

Choi said the government will do its best while maintaining its principles and hopes until the hostage issue is resolved.

Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon decided on return early today from a trip to China to participate in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue.