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S. Korean cabinet backs extended troop
stay in Iraqi Kurdistan
30.10.2007
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October 30, 2007
SEOUL,-- South Korea's cabinet Tuesday
approved President Roh Moo-Hyun's plan to extend the
stay of troops in Iraq, but he faces a tougher task
in securing parliament's approval.
Roh last week announced the plan to keep the
contingent in place until December 2008 but to halve
its size from the current 1,250.
He cited the need to safeguard ties with the US to
secure its continued help in dealing with North
Korea's nuclear programme, as well as possible
economic benefits.
The defence ministry said it will withdraw 250
troops by next month and 350 more by December. "We
aim to halve the number of troops in stages within
this year," said spokesman Kim Hyung-Gi.
Washington praised Seoul's decision to keep its
contingent in place as other coalition members pull
out, but domestic public opinion is almost evenly
split on the issue. |
Zaytun camp, the base of South Korean troops in
Iraqi Kurdistan |
The government plans next week to submit a motion to
the National Assembly calling for the mission's
extension.
The pro-government United New Democratic Party
strongly opposes the extension and has 141 of the
299 seats. But the main opposition Grand National
Party, with 129 seats, supports the plan.
South Korea in 2004 sent about 3,500 troops to Iraq,
at the time the third-largest foreign contingent
after the United States and Britain. It has
gradually reduced the number to 1,200.
The soldiers are based around the relatively
peaceful Iraqi Kurdistan capital of Erbil and are
engaged only in reconstruction activities and
medical work. There have been no deaths from hostile
action.
AFP
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