No choice
US to move Korea troops to Iraq
The US is planning to move some of its troops from South Korea to Iraq, according to the Seoul government.
South Korea's foreign ministry said the two governments were currently discussing the details of such a move.
A ministry official said the US was planning to transfer a full brigade of 4,000 soldiers currently stationed near the North Korean border.
The US has had to reverse plans to reduce troop numbers in Iraq because of the escalating violence there.
The South Korean official, Kim Sook, said Seoul had been informed of the troop moves on Monday, and had expressed its understanding.
"The US explained that it is inevitable to move part of US Forces Korea to Iraq for the sake of a successful hand-over of sovereignty to Iraq," Mr Kim said at a press briefing.
The US currently has some 37,000 troops based in South Korea under an agreement dating back to the Korean War 50 years ago.
There are about 130,000 US troops occupying Iraq, with an additional 20,000 from other nations.
