S.Korea Extends Troop Deployment in Iraq

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Source: The Guardian

South Korea's parliament voted Friday to extend the country's troop deployment in Iraq for another year, a move supporters said was crucial to maintaining good relations with the United States.

The National Assembly approved the extension of the country's deployment of 650 troops despite protests by activitists.

President Roh Moo-hyun announced the extension plan in October, saying it would solidify South Korea's alliance with the United States amid the North Korean nuclear standoff and boost economic interests in Iraq.

``We can't help paying attention to the North Korean nuclear issue,'' Hwang Jin-ha, a member of the conservative opposition Grand National Party, told parliament before the vote. He said closer cooperation with the U.S. is crucial as North Korea threatened to slow its disabling of nuclear facilities due to delayed aid.

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