South Korea feels the Spanish pinch. From The Financial Times, with thanks to Jean-Luc:
South Korea’s acting president has warned of a “strong” threat of terrorism as the country prepares to send more troops to Iraq next month.
Following last week’s train bombings in Spain, Goh Kun said countries supporting the US-led coalition in Iraq had become “major targets” of terrorism.
South Korea is poised to become the third-biggest member of the occupation force next month when it plans to send an extra 3,000 troops to join its 600 medics and engineers already there.
“We need to be very seriously prepared [for terrorism]. We could be a strong target,” said Mr Goh, standing in for president Roh Moo-hyun, who was impeached by parliament last week.
South Korea is the latest US ally to have responded to the Madrid bombings, which appear to have been carried out by Islamic extremists, such as al-Qaeda.
In Australia, John Howard, prime minister, yesterday pledged a further A$400m ($295m, €242m, £163m) in this year’s budget to fight terrorism. Japan has pledged to keep ground forces in Iraq whether or not Spain pulls out this summer.