Song Young-gil: "No Discussion on Hosting Afghan Refugees at US Military Bases in Korea, Questioning Its Appropriateness"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed a negative reaction on the 22nd to foreign media reports that the U.S. government is considering accommodating Afghan refugees at U.S. military bases in South Korea, citing transportation difficulties.

After having lunch with Democratic Party presidential candidate Park Yong-jin on the same day, Song met with reporters and said regarding the foreign media reports, "There has been no discussion at all, and I question whether it is appropriate," adding, "They would have no choice but to go to neighboring countries, considering transportation issues."

Earlier, the U.S. daily The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. government is considering accommodating Afghan refugees at overseas U.S. military bases including South Korea. According to the report, the U.S. is also considering bases in Japan, Germany, Kosovo, Bahrain, and Italy, in addition to South Korea.

However, Song also expressed that domestic repatriation is necessary for about 400 Afghans who participated in reconstruction projects conducted by the South Korean government in Afghanistan. In a public statement during lunch, he said, "There are about 400 Afghans, including engineers, who cooperated in hospital and school construction projects in Afghanistan that the government was responsible for," adding, "It is necessary to safely bring them to the Republic of Korea."

Park also stated regarding the issue of accommodating Afghan refugees within U.S. military bases in South Korea, "Regarding the issue of creating refugee camps within U.S. military bases in South Korea, our government should request consultations with a more cautious attitude."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.