Korea plans $1 million in cash aid for Libyan rebels

Korea plans to provide up to $1 million in cash to Libyan rebels, officials said Monday, joining an international campaign to oust Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi as rebel fighters poured into Tripoli.

World powers have offered cash and other aid to the rebel Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) as the rebels seized control of most of the Libyan capital, signaling that the battle to end Gadhafi's decades-long rule may be coming to an end.

South Korea will give the money to the cash-strapped Libyan rebels at the request of the NTC, a senior official at Seoul's foreign ministry said.

"The support fund will be at least $1 million," the official said on the condition of anonymity.

"So far, we have supported Libya via international organizations including the World Food Program," the official said. "From now, however, we will expand our direct support for the NTC."

South Korea plans to discuss with the Libyan rebels whether any additional aid is necessary, the official said.

Meanwhile, a total of 19 South Koreans, including embassy staff, their families and other Korean residents, remain in Tripoli and they have been confirmed safe, the ministry said. (Yonhap)