SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korean government on Wednesday announced it finally decided to send some 3,000 more troops to Iraq for independent operation.

    The decision was announced after a security-related government ministers' meeting held earlier Wednesday. The troops are to be composed of combatants and non-combatants.

    South Korean National Security Advisor Ra Jong-yil told reporters after the meeting that Seoul decided to send no more than 3,700 troops to Iraq, including the 466 engineers and medics working in the Middle East country.

    "The additional troops will be composed of combatants, guards, restoration troops and a division command", Ra elaborated on details of the plan.

    "The South Korean troops will take on responsibility for support of Iraqi peace and rehabilitation, and will independently take charge of a certain region for effective execution of duties and safety of the troops," said Ra.

    Iraqi military and police will be in charge of the safety of the troops, he added.

    But the senior official did not elaborate the exact date of the dispatch. He only said it needs some four months to complete all the preparation works for the sending.

    He also said in next Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, the government will endorse the troop dispatch plan, then submit it to the National Assembly for approval.

    He also added after the parliament passes the troop dispatch bill, South Korea will send advance troops.

    Concerning the region the South Korean additional troops will be responsible for, the security advisor said his government will announce the location after consultation with Washington.

    A seven-member military delegation left Seoul earlier Wednesdayfor Washington to hold discussions with US officials on the troop dispatch issue.

    South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in this October declared his government accepted the US request to send more troops to Iraq.However, in wake of local anti-war mood and serious security situation in Iraq, Seoul has been holding cautious attitude over the issue and not announced details over the troop dispatch.

    Seoul's final decision to send additional some 3,000 troops to Iraq came after the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Enditem