South Korea plans to evacuate all South Korean workers from Iraq by early July.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Lee Hee-boem says a total of 22 South Korean workers currently remain in Iraq, with most of them being employees of firms that provide supplies for the U.S. military.

Lee told reporters prior to a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae Tuesday that most South Korean residents in Iraq have been evacuated from the country and that the remaining workers plan to leave the country by early July.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Cho Young-kil said the government is closely working with the Seohee and Jema Units in the southern Iraqi city of Nassiriya, along with South Korean liaison officers within the coalition forces and U.S. military officials in Iraq to help secure the release of the Korean hostage, Kim Sun-il.