Defense Minister Cho Young-kil says the selection of a final venue for deployment of South Korean troops to Iraq is likely to take some time.

Appearing on YTN news channel Monday, Cho said the government will start reviewing a new deployment venue after the U.S. notifies Seoul of some alternative sites this week.

Cho stressed that in selecting a new deployment location, the government will place top priority on the safety of the troops, supply lines, and the level of convenience with which the troops' mission of helping peaceful reconstruction efforts can best be achieved.

Cho said the government has no particular region in mind, saying that all regions of Iraq are being under consideration.

Earlier this month, Seoul and Washington agreed to change the deployment location of South Korean troops from Kirkuk to a safer area south of Baghdad, citing worsening security conditions in the northern oil city.