Cabinet backs plan to send S Korea warship against Somali pirates

SEOUL: Seoul's cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to send a warship and 310 troops to combat piracy off Somalia where several South Korean ships have been seized, officials said. The dispatch of a destroyer, which must be approved by parliament next month, would mark the first-ever overseas combat deployment by the country's navy. The mission would continue for the rest of this year. The United States, several European nations, Russia, India and China have already sent naval ships to the lawless Somali coast to safeguard major shipping lanes. The South Korean contingent could operate both independently and in conjunction with other international naval forces, said officials quoted by Yonhap news agency. ..more..http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/403653/1/.html

Japan's ruling parties agree to dispatch navy to Somalia
TOKYO - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner New Komeito party basically agreed Tuesday to a government plan to dispatch the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) for an antipiracy mission off Somalia, local media reported.The Article 9 of current Japanese pacifist constitution after World War II only allows the MSDF to protect ships flying Japanese flags or carrying Japanese nationals.Kyodo News said the government seeks to send the mission under the provision of the Self-Defense Forces law to protect Japanese ships. Source: Xinhua
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