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S.Korea to send 350 troops to Afghanistan

Tuesday, December 08, 2009 SEOUL: The South Korean government Tuesday decided to send 350 troops backed by helicopters and 140 reconstruction workers to Afghanistan to help rebuild the war-torn country, the defence ministry said. The South Korean contingent will be based in Parwan province just north of Kabul for 30 months from July 1 next year, the defence ministry said in a statement. A provincial reconstruction team of 100 civilians and 40 police will be guarded by 350 troops backed by helicopters, armoured vehicles and an unmanned reconnaissance drone, it said. Officials have said the South Korean troops will not do any fighting except to protect the aid team.A cabinet meeting Tuesday approved the deployment and the ministry plans to send a motion this week to parliament for approval.
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