Director of the National Security Office, Suh Hoon, said that he is considering the issue of repatriating locals who helped South Korea in Afghanistan.
Director Seo attended the plenary session of the National Assembly Steering Committee on the afternoon of the 23rd and said, "Afghan people who have worked at our diplomatic missions and hospitals for a short period of 1 year or as long as 7-8 years are feeling threatened by the arrival of the Taliban regime." "We have a national awareness and responsibility to secure a safe haven for them," he said.
Regarding foreign media reports that the U.S. government is considering a plan to temporarily hold Afghan refugees at U.S. bases including South Korea, Seo said, “The final arrangement is that the U.S. will use U.S. bases in the Middle East or Europe depending on geographic conditions and convenience. will," he said.
Then, referring to President Biden's speech early this morning, he explained, "It is a situation in which he has announced his position that he will stay in two or three countries in the Middle East and two or three countries in Europe."
Regarding the issue of accepting refugees from Afghanistan, he said, "It is a matter that needs to be carefully considered in the future," he said.
"There are about 400 people in Afghanistan who are staying in Korea, and the problem is that those who cannot extend their stay are the problem," Seo said.
(Photo = Yonhap News)