In addition to the US$10 million in humanitarian aid already pledged, the South Korean government decided Tuesday to make a separate contribution to help post-war reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

The Seoul government also decided in a Cabinet meeting to reopen its embassy in Baghdad and appoint an ambassador to head the mission that was shut down with the outbreak of the 1991 Gulf War.

Some of Korea's diplomats in Jordan who have handled Iraq-related affairs since the embassy's closure will be reassigned to Baghdad.

Officials said the government plans to take part in rehabilitation efforts in the medical, education and job training sectors, adding that the scale of assistance will be decided after monitoring the involvement of other countries.

Earlier this month, the government pledged $10 million dollars in humanitarian aid for the Iraqi people.

The government will offer the aid directly or through international agencies such as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, the U.N. Children's Fund, the World Food Program or the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile, the government will set up a task force at the state-run Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and a branch office in Baghdad to facilitate the humanitarian efforts.