South Korean Troops to Join Iraq Coalition Force

South Korea’s parliament on Friday approved a plan to send 3,000 troops to Iraq, in response to a call from its key ally, the United States, for military help in restoring stability.

The deployment would make South Korea the third-largest contributor to coalition forces after the United States and Britain.

South Korea already has 465 medics and engineers in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya.

It hopes to send the new forces to the northern oil town of Kirkuk before the end of April. The deployment, which would probably include special forces commandos and marines, would be responsible solely for security and reconstruction around Kirkuk.

Defense Minister Cho Young Kil said a 200-member advance team would head for Iraq in early April. “Safety is the most important consideration,” Cho said.

South Koreans have been divided over whether to send troops.

Critics say the war in Iraq was unjustified and have protested near the National Assembly and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

About 500 antiwar activists rallied in front of the National Assembly as the lawmakers approved the deployment plan, 155-50.

Supporters say the deployment boosts South Korea’s military alliance with the United States.

More than 52,000 soldiers have applied for the mission, which would pay $1,100 a month to a sergeant who would normally earn a fraction of that at home. In South Korea, military service is mandatory.