S Korea pushes to keep troops in Iraq

South Korea's government has decided to extend the stay of its troops in Iraq until next year but will cut the size of its contingent in half, defence officials said Sunday.
"The withdrawal of troops from Iraq, originally due by the end of December, will be postponed until next year," a defence ministry spokesman told AFP.
"But the number will be reduced from the current 1,200 to 600."
The spokesman said President Roh Moo-Hyun's cabinet would likely debate the measure on Tuesday before sending it to parliament next week for approval.