Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
SEOUL, Dec 7 (AFP) - A South Korean parliamentary committee endorsed the
government's plan Wednesday to reduce the country's military presence in
Iraq by one-third next year, officials said.
The National Assembly's defense committee said it has approved 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.
Of the committee's 14 members, 10 voted for the bill and three opposed it,
with one abstention.
The bill, which requires endorsement from the assembly's plenary session,
stipulates that the reduced contingent of troops would extend their stay in
Iraq for another year until December 2006.
South Korean troops have been stationed in the northern Iraqi town of Arbil
for relief and rehabilitation efforts since September 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.
government's plan Wednesday to reduce the country's military presence in
Iraq by one-third next year, officials said.
The National Assembly's defense committee said it has approved 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.
Of the committee's 14 members, 10 voted for the bill and three opposed it,
with one abstention.
The bill, which requires endorsement from the assembly's plenary session,
stipulates that the reduced contingent of troops would extend their stay in
Iraq for another year until December 2006.
South Korean troops have been stationed in the northern Iraqi town of Arbil
for relief and rehabilitation efforts since September 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.