South Korea's Defense Ministry says the country will draw up plans by the end of June to withdraw its remaining troops from Iraq.
The ministry said Friday, that a plan on the termination of the mission will be sent to parliament.
Speaking in Seoul Thursday, visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said South Korea can begin reducing its troops in northern Iraq next month, after Iraqi forces take over security in the Kurdish region.
South Korea sent nearly 3600 soldiers to Iraq in 2004 - the third-largest contingent after the United States and Britain. Seoul has been gradually withdrawing its troops since then.
Mr. Maliki is the highest-ranking Iraqi official to visit South Korea since the Iraqi government took office last May. During his three-day visit, he also urged South Korean companies to take part in his country's postwar reconstruction projects.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
