By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The fate of South Korean troops deployed in Iraq is again the subject of heated argument. The troops were first deployed to Iraq in 2004 and their mission has been extended for the third time since then.
Informed sources said the Ministry of National Defense has virtually decided to extend the mission of the 1,200-strong troops, Zaytun Division, one more year after cutting the troop level in half.
The ministry plans to submit a motion for the troops' extended stay to the National Assembly this week.
In an Assembly audit last week, Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo hinted that the Zaytun unit would stay another year.
``Personally, I want to extend the deployment of Zaytun forces even if the numbers of the troops would be reduced. The troop presence is important in solidifying the military alliance between South Korea and the United States,'' Kim said. ``Consultations among related government agencies are almost done.
Washington has requested South Korea keep its troops in Iraq through diplomatic and military channels, government officials said.
In a meeting with President Roh Moo-hyun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Sydney in September, U.S. President George W. Bush asked for Seoul's continued troop contribution to the U.S.-led operations in Iraq, they said.
A team of government officials recently visited Zaytun Camp in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil to review the performance of the unit and security conditions there.
The ministry said earlier it will decide whether or not to extend the Zaytun mission given political and security conditions in the war-torn Middle East nation, as well as the U.S. new Iraqi policy and the developments of coalition partners in Iraq.
Supporters for the extension of deployment cite potential economic benefits such as an oil concession to the Kurdish-controlled region and large-scale construction contracts.
The Korea National Oil Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kurdish regional government on oil development in January. In July, more than 10 South Korean construction firms inked a pact with the Kurdish government to build highways and hydroelectric dams worth $23.4 billion.
War-weary lawmakers from the pro-government party and progressive civic groups have pledged to block extended troop deployment. They argue that projected economic gains are overblown and there is not reason to stay in Iraq at a time when many coalition forces are rushing to exit or reduce their military presence.
South Korean troops have contributed to the security and stabilization of Irbil since 2004, when about 3,600 forces were dispatched to the Kurdish-controlled region to support the U.S.-led Operation Iraqi Freedom initiated in 2003 and help Iraqis reconstruct their country. Seoul has been the second largest coalition partner of the United States after the United Kingdom.
The four-year U.S. military death toll in Iraq has already reached 3,750, while the British army's death count has mounted to 170, according to reports. The U.S. government has decided to reduce its troop-level by 57,000 to 130,000 next year, while the 6,700-strong British troops will be downsized to 2,500, according to reports.