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South Korea says no change in Iraq after London attack | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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SEOUL (Reuters) – The bomb attacks in London will not change South Korea”s commitment to keeping troops in Iraq until their mission is complete, South Korea”s foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday.

South Korea has about 3,200 troops stationed in the Iraqi region of Irbil on a peacekeeping mission, the third-largest foreign contingent after the United States and Britain.

Defence Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said on Friday the troops, known in Korean as &#34Zaitun&#34, were on around-the-clock alert and on guard against possible attacks.

&#34There will be no impact on Zaitun”s mission of contributing to peace and reconstruction of Iraq,&#34 Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lee Kyu-hyung told reporters.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has said he would keep the troops in Iraq until the goal set by the U.S.-led coalition was met.