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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| S. Korea finalizes plan for troop deployment to Afghanistan |
| 2009-12-08 |
| SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea finalized its plan Tuesday to deploy up to 350 troops to Afghanistan for two and a half years to assist U.S.-led efforts to fight insurgency and rebuild the Central Asian country. The deployment, subject to parliamentary approval, will begin in Parwan Province north of Kabul on July 1 next year and include helicopters, armored vehicles and a reconnaissance drone, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement. The initial contingent will be made of 320 troops, ministry policy director Jang Gwang-il told reporters, adding 30 more could be sent if needed. The government worked for weeks on plans to protect its civilian provincial reconstruction team (PRT) working to rebuild Afghanistan, where the U.S. is fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban. "The main mission will be to guard the PRT base and escort and protect the activities of the PRT members," the ministry said, adding the troops will rotate every six months. |
| Posted by:Steve White |