The South Korean government has insisted it will deploy the 3,000 troops planned to serve in Iraq despite the beheading by Muslim militants of a South Korean hostage.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Shin Bong-kil told reporters the National Security Council that advises President Roh Moo-hyun had held an emergency session to discuss the killing of Kim Sun-il, a 33-year-old Arabic interpreter.
"Our government's basic spirit and position has not changed. We confirm that again because our troop deployment is for reconstruction and humanitarian aid support for Iraq," Shin said, reading from a statement.
South Korea has had about 670 military medics and engineers in southern Iraq since May last year.