Soldiers of USFK are prepa ring for military maneuver near Dongducheon, May 17, 2004.(Xinhua Photo)

Related: 3,600 US troops in S.Korea to be transferred to Iraq

    SEOUL, May 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Monday officially made request to South Korea for redeploying part of United States Forces Korea (USFK) to Iraq, and Seoul already accepted the demand.

    United States Deputy National Security Advisor Steve Hadley called South Korea's Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon earlier Monday, officially asking for redeploying one brigade-level US forces here to Iraq, said Kim Sook, director-general of the Foreign Ministry'sNorth American affairs bureau, at a news conference.

    Ban expressed "understanding" and agreed the US plan to pull such scale troops from South Korea, Kim said.

    "The US explained that it is inevitable to move part of USFK to Iraq for the sake of a successful hand-over of sovereignty to Iraq," Kim said .

    The US wants to divert a brigade from the 14,000-member 2nd Infantry Division, and the number of troops to be re-deployed won't exceed 4,000, Kim said.

    The 2nd Infantry Division is stationed in Dongducheon, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    The 14,000-strong frontline force consists of infantry, airborne, artillery and engineering brigades.

    "The US side said it would take necessary supplementary measures in case of redeployment and added that this will not affect the defense capabilities to safeguard the Korean Peninsula," Kim said.

    Earlier Monday, Kim Sook confirmed that Washington recently delivered such intention of redeployment through diplomatic channels to South Korea.

    Kim also said further consultations are needed to determine whether re-deployed forces will return to South Korea after their mission in Iraq.

    While, South Korean Defense Ministry said the redeployment of abrigade-level US force will have little effect on the two countries ' combat capabilities, but it would take every possible measure to minimize any negative effect.

    Lt. Gen. Kwon An-do, acting assistant defense minister for policy, said, however, that he believes it would be desirable for any re-deployed troops to return to South Korea.

    Since the end of Korean War, the US has maintained 37,000 troops in South Korea.

    Some expert said the 4,000 US troops redeployment may be the first step of a possible reduction of the USFK, which is a sensitive issue in South Korea.

    Moreover, some local media speculated that the US' move to transfer 4,000 troops to Iraq is aimed at pressing South Korea to accelerate the proceeding of additional troop dispatch.

    At the request of Washington, Seoul decided to dispatch 3,000 troops to Iraq besides the some 500 non-combating troops which noware working in the Middle East country. But the plan was delayed for several times in wake of deteriorating security situation and changing of deployment site.

    But Kim Sook rejected such speculation, stressing that the redeployment issue is unrelated to Seoul's troop dispatch plan.

    However, in Monday's conversation, Hadley urged South Korea to send the 3,000 troops as soon as possible, according to Kim.

    In responses, Ban Ki-moon said "it is a commitment to international community, South Korea will keep the promise." Enditem