U.S. Ready to Play Military Role at Seoul in ’88

The United States is willing to deploy warships and planes to South Korea to protect the 1988 Olympic Games from attacks by terrorists or North Korea, Assistant Secretary of Defense Richard Armitage said in Seoul.

Armitage said discussions are continuing with South Korean military officials to decide what types of security measures will be needed to guarantee the safety of the Games.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with defense minister Chung Ho-yong, Armitage specifically mentioned “increased intelligence and actual movement of U.S. assets to ensure security” of the Games, which will be held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 2 next year.

After the briefing, Armitage told United Press International the U.S. might move a seagoing battle group into the area if it were deemed necessary.

“They have airplanes on them,” he said. “We are willing to make military adjustments in force deployments.”

South Korea and the International Olympic Committee have been negotiating with communist North Korea on holding some of the Olympic events north of the demilitarized zone.

No settlement has been reached, however. North Korea wants to be an official co-host of the games, with opening and closing ceremonies. Pyongyang also wants to hold five complete events and share in the profits.

The IOC has offered--and Seoul has agreed to accept--that Pyongyang hold four complete events and one partial event, but not be allowed to co-host the Games.