The Seoul government seeks to send hundreds of troops to help the Philippines rebuild after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the archipelago state.

At a security policy coordination meeting on Thursday, senior government officials made the decision to dispatch military engineering and medical personnel, which requires approval from the Cabinet and the National Assembly.

On Wednesday night, the Philippines made the request for the troop dispatch via fax, Seoul’s Ministry of National Defense said. It is the first time for Seoul to send troops for disaster relief following a country’s request.

“We will send an on-site inspection team to size up the extent of the damage as early as early next week. Based on its judgment, we will work out details over the formation of the humanitarian contingent,” ministry spokesperson Kim Min-seok told reporters.

“Parliamentary approval is crucial in sending our troops purely for humanitarian purposes.”

Seoul’s move came amid increasing calls from political circles and the public for immediate relief assistance to the ravaged areas where thousands of people lost their lives.

Typhoon Haiyan pummeled some areas of the Philippines on Nov. 8, putting the whole country in a state of shock and grief. The devastation of homes, schools and offices sparked social unrest.

Seoul has sent two C-130 transposrt aircraft with 46 personnel managing the aircraft and provision of relief assistance to the country.

The U.S. and Japan have also extended relief support, flying food, water and medical staff to the affected areas including Tacloban, capital of hardest-hit Leyte province. Washington has dispatched one aircraft carrier, 10 medical support ships and 14 C-130 aircraft, while Tokyo sent 1,180 personnel, three vessels and seven C-130 aircraft.

The Philippines is one of 21 countries that sent combat troops or medical staff during the 1950-53 Korean War. It sent more than 7,000 troops in support of South Korea during the war.

Seoul seeks to send hundreds of troops to typhoon-hit Philippines

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)