White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement Friday that the U.S. welcomes Korea’s decision to expand support for Afghanistan and that the assistance will greatly boost international efforts to stabilize and rebuild the war-torn country.

He added that Washington will maintain close partner relationship with Seoul.

Separately, the Washington Post said U.S. President Barack Obama will deploy at least 10,000 to 15,000 American troops to Afghanistan.

Obama also held talks with Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other military leaders at the White House Friday and urged them to present a plan to send less than 40,000 troops, the number requested by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.