Actually, inching closer was the wrong phrase.

I am hearing conflicting reports.

1) There is a build-up of forces along the north/south border of Korea
2) U.S. troops are being pulled from Korea and deployed to Iraq

As to the conversion - it seems that some of the Koreans have, indeed, converted to Islam. Seems it is an effort to understand the culture in Iraq and also to gain respect. They want to be seen as re-builders not occupiers.

These are very strange times.