South Korea's government approves Iraq troop cut
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-21 13:55

The South Korean government has approved a proposed plan to reduce its military presence in Iraq by one-third next year, officials in the prime minister's office said.

A cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Lee Hae-Chan endorsed the defense ministry bill to withdraw 1,000 troops from the 3,200-strong South Korean contingent in Iraq in the first half of 2006, they said.

The bill stipulates that the reduced contingent of troops would extend their stay in Iraq for another year until December 2006, the officials said.

President Roh Moo-Hyun will send the government's troop reduction bill to parliament for approval either Tuesday or Wednesday, they added.

South Korean troops have been stationed in the northern Iraqi town of Arbil for relief and rehabiliation efforts since 2004.

The contingent is the third-largest force in the war-ravaged country after those of the United States and Britain.

In January 2004, South Korea's parliament approved the deployment of up to 3,600 troops in Iraq.

The deployment, which was renewed in November 2004 for another 12 months, needs annual parliamentary approval.