Text Fwd: Samwhan union protests South Korean troop redeployment to Afghanistan

* Image source/ caption: same as below
'In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 file photo, Villagers watch as
U.S. Army Pfc. Kurt Zaumseil from McLean, VA., of the 1st Platoon, Able Troop 3-71 Cavalry Squadron
walks towards a school project in the village of Baraki Rajn, Baraki Barak district,
Logar province, Afghanistan. (AP)'

Hankyoreh
Samwhan union protests South Korean troop redeployment to Afghanistan:
Increasing attacks against Samwhan Corp. construction sites leaves employees concerned for their safety
Nov. 26, 2009

Hong Sun-kwan, head of Samwhan Corp. Union, issued a statement on Wednesday asking the Lee government to take greater measures for employee safety for those who are currently working in Afghanistan. Hong said, “There is a high possibility that the militia in Afghanistan could attack South Korean employees working there due to the government’s decision to redeploy troops.”

Samwhan Corp. is a mid-sized company that has been participating in the reconstruction of the road network that runs through seven areas located in northeast Afghanistan since 2004. It currently has 100 South Korean employees working there.

Hong said, “The South Korean employees working in Afghanistan have felt threatened by the Taliban’s rocket attacks that came after the government’s decision to redeploy troops to Afghanistan.” He added, “The government should not be redeploying troops before taking measures to ensure the security of South Korean employees that are already in Afghanistan.” He also said, “If redeployment occurs, South Korean employees will be put in grave danger.”

Samwhan Corp.’s construction sites in Afghanistan have been attacked three times since the government announced deliberations over troop redeployment in October.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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