S. Korea delays Somalia mission amid financial difficulties

SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has delayed a costly plan to send naval
ships to pirates-infested Somali waters, officials said Friday, as the country
continues to reel from the global financial crisis.

The South Korean government had initially planned to seek parliamentary approval
before the year's end for the motion, which calls for the dispatch of a stealth
destroyer and Navy forces to patrol the dangerous coastal waters off the African
country. Several South Korean commercial ships have fallen victim to piracy in
Somali waters in recent years.
During a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, President Lee Myung-bak requested
"more prudence" before submitting the bill to the National Assembly, citing the
financial burden of 45 billion won (US$31 million) necessary to carry out the
plan.
"Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee called Wednesday night, saying the government will
take more time," said ruling party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a member of the
parliamentary defense committee. "He also mentioned the need for more discussions
with the United States."
"The minister did not say when the plan will be pushed again," Yoo added. "But it
won't be anytime before the February Assembly session."
It took three months for Korea to dispatch its Zaytun unit to Iraq after
lawmakers ratified the motion, and about seven months to send troops to Lebanon
as part of U.N. peacekeeping forces.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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