Korean troops stationed in Irbil, Iraq, have been subjected to a rocket attack by insurgents. There was a bomb incident 800 meters from their facility last October, too, but this attack is different in that the target was clear. More attacks can be expected.
This attack was bound to happen, given the recent situation. To begin with, ever since the start of an Iraqi government composed mainly of Shia and Kurds the Kurdish autonomous area of Irbil has been a main target of insurgent attacks. A typical case would be how on May 4 a suicide bomb attack in downtown Irbil, 8 kilometers away, killed around 70 people. In addition, as of December Korean troops have been training Iraqi regular troops nearby and they are being asked to provide protection for the construction of the United Nations' Iraqi aid organization building that is to be constructed in the city and to provide protection for staff. To Iraqis who opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq by the United States, the Korean military is no different an occupation force than the American military.
The government says it deployed troops in order to engage in "peace and reconstruction," but it needs to ask itself if that goal if even possible in a situation where US troops and insurgents continue to clash. If troops were sent because of American demands then Korea has done enough already. The government must not stubbornly continue to insist Korea is doing "peace and reconciliation" in an immoral war that has no end in sight. A new victim will appear, like Kim Seon Il and many workers last year. This is not something that can be solved by building more watchtowers and redoubling patrols. Korean troops are scheduled to be in Iraq until the end of next year, but their withdraw must not wait until then. Other countries that sent troops for being unable to resist American pressure have withdrawn their troops or are about to.
The Hankyoreh, 1 June 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Time For Korea To Withdraw From Iraq |
