Posted on 06/18/2004 8:10:28 AM PDT by knighthawk
South Korea will start to deploy 3,000 troops to Iraq's Arbil area in early August to help build the northern region.
The announcement caps months of debate in South Korea on a pledge first made to United States President George W Bush by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in October last year and approved by Parliament in February.
Ministry spokesman Nam Dai-yeon told reporters an initial contingent would be sent to Iraq in early August, followed later that month and in early September by the main force.
"The site is Arbil. The regional government there welcomed our troops and promised support," the spokesman said.
"South Korea will make the best effort to help our troops conduct its mission for reconstruction and peace in a safe environment."
South Korea already has about 670 military engineers and medics in southern Iraq, and they will join the larger deployment in the north.
Ping
Interesting. Of course, this has nothing to do with the recent announcement that the US is cutting back it's forces in Korea...</sarcasm off>
Thanks KH. Of course this news isn't available in any of our domestic papers.
Good. SK has some fine soldiers.
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