S. Korean, Iraqi defense ministers to discuss expanded ties

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministers of South Korea and Iraq were to
hold talks Monday on ways to expand ties after Seoul completed its four-year
military presence in the war-torn country last month, officials said.

South Korea sent a 3,600-strong contingent to the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in
September 2004 as part of U.S.-led anti-terrorism forces. A total of 18,000 South
Korean troops served in rotation, mostly working in reconstruction efforts,
including free medical service and the construction of schools and other
facilities.
The five-day visit by Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qader to South Korea comes as
the two sides hope to extend the camaraderie formed during the deployment,
officials at the Ministry of National Defense said.
"The defense ministers will look for ways to prolong the positive diplomatic mood
and convert it into cooperation in other military areas," an official said,
speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
The official added Qader will tour several local manufacturers of military
equipment, mainly vehicles, and tour an Army academy in Seoul after talks with
Seoul's Defense Minister, Lee Sang-hee. The official declined to identify the
manufacturers.
Qader also plans to visit a commercial automobile manufacturing facility in South
Korea's southwestern region during his trip, according to the ministry.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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