S Korea plans to increase support for Libyan opposition forces

South Korea will increase its support for Libyan opposition forces who are reportedly edging closer to winning a battle against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. "The government has provided humanitarian assistance to the Libyan opposition forces through international organizations, and is currently considering a direct offer of financial support," ministry spokesman Shin Maeng-ho said during a press briefing. " We plan to increase the level of support." The South Korean government is reportedly planning to offer more than 1 million U.S. dollars to Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) at the request of the fledgling group that consists of anti-Gadhafi elements. Local reports said South Korea will also join the fifth meeting of the contact group on Libya, to be held in New York next month after the UN General Assembly, to discuss the international community's support for the opposition forces. South Korea joined the group, which recognizes the NTC as the legitimate authority in Libya, in July.