The South Korean government has decided to halve its troops stationed in Iraq and extend their deployment in the war-torn Middle East country by another year, a government source said Friday.
"The government decided to reduce the number of Korean troops at the Zaytun unit in Iraq from the current 2,330 to about 1,200 and extend their deployment by one additional year," said the source, asking to remain anonymous.
He said the decision was reached during a minister-level security policy coordination meeting at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
The Zaytun troop reduction plan is subject to approval by the National Assembly. In case of parliamentary approval, about 1,100 of the Zaytun troops will return home early next year.
"The deployment of the Zaytun troops will be extended by one year, but a sudden withdrawal of part or all of the troops cannot be ruled out before the expiry date, depending on circumstances in Iraq and the U.S.," said the source.
South Korea dispatched 3,300 troops to Iraq's northern village of Irbil in 2004 for a humanitarian mission at the request of the U.S., which occupied the Middle Eastern country as part of an anti-terrorism campaign. The number of troops has since been reduced to less than 2,400.
Despite U.S. moves to restore order, Iraq continues to be embroiled in violence between religious sects and against U.S. troops, resulting in increasing numbers of casualties.
Seoul, Nov. 24 (Yonhap News)
S. Korea to halve troops deployed to Iraq |
