Seoul, Oct 24 : South Korean Defence Minister Kim Tae-young has told lawmakers that the government is preparing for its reconstruction work in Afghanistan, WAM news agency reported Saturday.

Kim said the government is reviewing its contributions, including financial support, expansion of civilian-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT) and personnel to protect PRT members.

South Korea had withdrawn its 200-member construction and medical units from Afghanistan in 2007. It has since dispatched about two dozens civilian workers to help reconstruction of the war-torn country.

Seoul said it would increase the number of PRT workers to about 90 by the end of this year, and build a hospital and a job-training centre at the US Air Force Base in Afghanistan.

He said the US has not directly requested Seoul for troops in Afghanistan.(IANS)