The government will convene a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) Thursday to discuss a U.S. request for the dispatch of additional South Korean troops to Iraq.

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said National Security Advisor Ra Jong-yil will preside over the meeting of the NSC's standing committee.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said a larger meeting of government ministers may be convened next week to discuss the troop dispatch issue, with President Roh Moo-hyun or Prime Minister Goh Kun expected to preside over it.

Officials said while Washington did not specify the exact number of troops it wants South Korea to dispatch, it cited a 2,500-member unit from Poland as an example.

In May, South Korea dispatched some 675 army engineers and medics to assist the U.S.-led reconstruction of post-war Iraq.