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Korea-Iraq Update: On September 6, I blogged about what appeared to be a trial balloon statement from an Uri MP that Korea was considering a premature downsizing of its force of 3,600 troops in Iraq. Korea’s Iraq contingent is substantial on paper–the third-largest of any coalition partner–but is of little military value, remaining hidden away behind its barricades in the safest corner of Kurdistan.

Today comes word that the Korean Ministry of National Defense intends to extend the mandate of the Zaitun Brigade, although the MND didn’t say whether the numbers would remain static.

Previous reports have also suggested some “stealth” withdrawals.