Dispatching Troops to Iraq Possible Only after Late July

It seems likely that dispatching troops to Arbil, an additionally proposed site by the government for the future Korean army post in the northern part of Iraq, will be possible after late July.

On May 11, the spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, Nam Dae-yeon, stated, “The self-administered Kurdish government in Arbil sent a letter welcoming the Korean troops under the name of Acting Prime Minister Sarkis Aghajan on May 9,” and added, “Within this month, we plan to discuss the details of the dispatch by sending a local assistance team to Arbil led by the chief operations director.”

Spokesman Nam also explained, “Once the assistance team arrives in Arbil, the issue of posting troops near the Arbil airport and utilizing the airport, as well as the issue of deciding the exact site for the future army post of Korean troops will be discussed.”

Difficulty in the negotiation of practical affairs surrounding the dispatch is expected as the self-administered Kurdish government declined the request to station Korean troops at the Arbil airport, and has demanded a fee for using the airport.

The government is planning to announce Arbil as the final site for the Korean army post during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting after the assistance team returns later this month.

Accordingly, considering the physical timing of transporting supplies, the dispatch of advance troops of the Iraq Peace Restoration Association (Zaitoon Troop) will become effective in late July, and early/mid August for the main troops.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com