A diplomatic source said Monday the United States has requested South Korea to send a relatively large number of combat troops to Iraq that would operate independently without the help of other forces.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States did not specify the number of South Korean troops to be sent, but it DOES want a large enough number of troops to fully take over the duties of U.S. troops in a certain region.

The source said, considering that the United States is seeking two divisions or about 20,000-30,000 additional troops from its allies to be deployed in Iraq, South Korea would probably be asked to dispatch a brigade of some 3,000-4,000 troops.

The source, however, denied reports that Seoul was asked to send a division-size force, saying that it is unrealistic for South Korea to provide half the required troops.