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 Asia
South Korea approves troop dispatch to Iraq
2004-02-14 / Associated Press /

South Korea's parliament yesterday approved the government's plan to send 3,000 troops to Iraq, responding to a call from the United States, its key ally, for military help to restore stability in the war-torn nation.

The troop dispatch will make South Korea the third-largest contributor to coalition forces after the United States and Britain.

"We express gratitude to the National Assembly for making a tough decision in consideration of national interests," said Yoon Tae-young, a spokesman for President Roh Moo-hyun.

South Korea already has 465 medics and engineers operating in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.

It hopes to send the new forces to the northern Iraqi oil town of Kirkuk before the end of April. The new deployment, likely to include special forces commandos and combat-ready marines, will be solely responsible for security and reconstruction around Kirkuk.

South Koreans have been divided over sending troops to Iraq.

Critics say the war in Iraq was unjustified and have held protests near the National Assembly and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

Some 500 anti-war activists rallied in front of the National Assembly as the 271-member legislature approved the deployment plan with a 155-50 vote. Seven abstained and 59 did not take part in the vote.

"Dirty war of aggression! No troop dispatch!" the protesters chanted.

Dozens of activists briefly scuffled with shield-wielding riot police. No serious injuries were reported.

Supporters, however, say the dispatch would boost South Korea's military alliance with the United States.

President Roh has said it was important for South Korea to contribute troops to the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq to garner U.S. support for peacefully resolving a standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

The United States, the two Koreas, China, Russia and Japan are set to begin on February 25 a second round of six-nation talks aimed at persuading North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programs. The first meeting in August ended without much progress.


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