A group of South Korean veterans from the Vietnam War staged a rally in Washington Monday, demanding compensation for their exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange.

The 32 veterans held a silent protest in Pershing Park near the White House for several hours, displaying photographs of those who had suffered health problems because of the pesticide.

The demonstrators, all members of the Seoul-based Korea Agent Orange Veterans Association, said they will continue their protests in the United States until Friday.

A spokesman for the veterans' group in Seoul said veterans in other countries including New Zealand, Thailand and Australia have already received financial compensation from private U.S. defoliant-producing firms.

He added that some 80,000 Korean veterans are still suffering from Agent Orange-related diseases but are only receiving a monthly state subsidy of no more than 400,000 won (US$338).