The parliamentary defense committee has launched paperwork to withdraw 200 Koeran troops in Afghanistan by year’s end as previously scheduled.

The committee said Sunday that it received a briefing to that effect from a Defense Ministry official.

Committee chairman Kim Sung-gon told a news conference that parliament approved late last year the pullout plan by the end of this year.

Kim said five to six months will be needed for a withdrawal, and that the government must start related preparations next month to complete the pullout by year’s end.

The committee also issued a statement that Korean lawmakers are ready to talk to anyone for peace in Afghanistan and pledging its utmost efforts to establish peace in the region.

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