ID :
40275
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 22:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/40275
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean, Iraqi defense ministers discuss arms cooperation
(ATTN: RECASTS lead, headline; UPDATES with details, comments throughout; CHANGES
minister's name to conform to international usage)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- Iraq's defense minister met with his South Korean
counterpart Monday and expressed hope that the two countries can bolster their
ties in defense technology and arms support.
"The South Korean military is a model to follow because it has achieved
modernization from a zero point," Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi said, praising the Asian
country that has built one of the region's strongest armies since it fought the
1950-53 Korean War.
"I know very well that South Korea possesses leading technology in the defense
area," he said, speaking to South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee through an
interpreter.
The five-day visit by al-Obeidi comes after South Korea completed its four-year
military presence in Iraq last month.
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 services and the construction of schools and other
facilities.
"The Zaytun unit will long be remembered and thanked by the Iraqi people for
their devotion and volunteer work," al-Obeidi said.
The Ministry of National Defense said al-Obeidi is scheduled to tour several
local manufacturers of military equipment and visit an Army academy in Seoul
after his talks with Lee.
The minister also plans to visit a commercial automobile manufacturing facility
in South Korea's southwestern region during his trip, according to the ministry.
"One of the reasons I came to South Korea was to inspect an automobile plant,"
al-Obeidi said, expressing hope that South Korea can take on a greater role in
supplying arms needed to underpin the reconstruction of his country's military
forces.
Al-Obeidi will leave South Korea on Thursday.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
minister's name to conform to international usage)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- Iraq's defense minister met with his South Korean
counterpart Monday and expressed hope that the two countries can bolster their
ties in defense technology and arms support.
"The South Korean military is a model to follow because it has achieved
modernization from a zero point," Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi said, praising the Asian
country that has built one of the region's strongest armies since it fought the
1950-53 Korean War.
"I know very well that South Korea possesses leading technology in the defense
area," he said, speaking to South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee through an
interpreter.
The five-day visit by al-Obeidi comes after South Korea completed its four-year
military presence in Iraq last month.
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 services and the construction of schools and other
facilities.
"The Zaytun unit will long be remembered and thanked by the Iraqi people for
their devotion and volunteer work," al-Obeidi said.
The Ministry of National Defense said al-Obeidi is scheduled to tour several
local manufacturers of military equipment and visit an Army academy in Seoul
after his talks with Lee.
The minister also plans to visit a commercial automobile manufacturing facility
in South Korea's southwestern region during his trip, according to the ministry.
"One of the reasons I came to South Korea was to inspect an automobile plant,"
al-Obeidi said, expressing hope that South Korea can take on a greater role in
supplying arms needed to underpin the reconstruction of his country's military
forces.
Al-Obeidi will leave South Korea on Thursday.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
