The U.S. Defense Ministry says it would welcome any contribution from South Korea in reconstruction efforts currently under way in Afghanistan.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters Thursday that if Seoul is considering boosting its contributions in the war-torn nation, that would be welcome news.

Morrell’s comments come as Seoul is reportedly planning to send to Afghanistan a 130-member Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) accompanied by 300 security forces.

Morrell said the U.S. and South Korean officials did not discuss the issue of Seoul increasing its presence in Afghanistan when Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited South Korea last week.