S.Korea's Iraq deployment extended

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The South Korean National Assembly overcame opposition from liberal lawmakers Friday to extend the country's Iraq troop deployment by another year.

The proposal, aimed at strengthening ties with the United States, passed 146-104 with six abstentions in the 256-member assembly, Yonhap news agency reported.

The troops, numbering about 700 and involved mainly in rehabilitation efforts, have been in Iraq since 2004. Friday's vote marked the fourth extension of the deployment.

In the past year, the troop deployment has been cut to about half to the present strength.

The extension, sought by outgoing South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, was supported by President-elect Lee Myung-bak, who heads the conservative Grand National Party, the report said.

Supporters said South Korean troop presence in Iraq's relatively safe Kurdish region will help strengthen ties with the United States, which are needed for security and to bring about the denuclearization of North Korea. Opponents include anti-war activists and those critical of the U.S. campaign in Iraq.