S. Korea vows US$200 million in aid for Pakistan

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea pledged Friday to provide Pakistan with US$200 million in aid over the next four years as part of international efforts to support the country's fight against terrorism, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan announced the pledge at the Pakistan Donors
Conference held in Tokyo, which drew representatives from about 40 countries and
international organizations.
South Korea's aid will concentrate on developing human resources, upgrading the
governmental system, and constructing infrastructure, according to the ministry.
The South Asian nation that borders Afghanistan has been beset by economic
difficulties and a troubled campaign against terrorism. Its unstable border areas
with Afghanistan are known to be shelters for al-Qaeda terrorists and Taliban
insurgents.
"Attending the Ministerial Meeting on the Friends of Democratic Pakistan earlier
in the day, Minister Yu Myung-hwan expressed his sympathy for the Pakistani
government and its people who are ridden with troubles in the war against
terrorism," the ministry said in a press release. "He also said the South Korean
government will continue to support the international community's assistance for
Pakistan," it said.
The ministry added that Friday's meeting provided momentum for new cooperation in
stabilizing the country.
Meanwhile, pledges totaling $4 billion in aid for Islamabad were given at the
conference.
Japan and the U.S. pledged $1 billion each in assistance over a couple of years,
while Saudi Arabia vowed to extend $700 million over the same period. The
European Union said it will provide $640 million over four years.