SEOUL, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The United States has reportedly asked South Korea for a light infantry division consisting of as many as 3,000 soldiers to keep the peace in Iraq.
A Korean official told the Korea Times about a dozen countries, including India, Pakistan and Turkey, have also been asked by the United States to take part in the postwar efforts to stabilize Iraq.
Assistant U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Richard Lawless was reported to have made the request on Sept. 4, during a visit to Korea.
The Times quoted a Korean government official Monday as saying, "The United States has asked for a division of light infantry soldiers capable of operating on a self-sustainable basis."
Defense Ministry officials told the newspaper special warfare forces would likely make up the majority of combat troops sent to Iraq if such a decision is made.
The newspaper said the government in Seoul is seen as tilting towards the troop dispatch despite heavy domestic criticism, in consideration of the overall security situation concerning the North Korean nuclear crisis.
Currently there are about 675 South Korean soldiers, mostly military engineers and medical personnel, serving in Iraq.
