Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

A KC-330 Cygnus landed at Seoul Air Base on October 5

A total of 97 people returned safety with the assistance of the military and the government

“Authorities are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, and will continue to implement safety measures”

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang In-sun, and Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-soo encouraged military and foreign affairs ministry officials who contributed to the transport of overseas Koreans from Lebanon. They posed for a picture to commemorate the successful operation.

Amid unrest in Lebanon and the Middle East, Koreans overseas returned home safely thanks to the support of the military and the government. On October 5, 96 Koreans and one Lebanese national, a family member of a South Korean citizen residing in Lebanon, returned aboard a Korean Air Force transport aircraft. This evacuation took place amidst ongoing ground operations by the Israeli military against the pro-Iran armed group Hezbollah.

The Air Force KC-330 Cygnus, a multirole-tanker/transporter (MRTT) carrying the evacuees, landed at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, at approximately 12:50 p.m. on October 5. Families, relatives, and acquaintances awaiting them at the airport shouted with joy and lifted their hands in celebration as the KC-330 landed. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang In-sun, and Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-soo also congratulated the evacuees on their safe return.

Air Force officers waiting on the runway held a placard that said, “Welcome the safe return of our citizens.”

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho (left) touches a child who returned from Lebanon.

When the door of the transport plane opened at 1:05 in the afternoon,, the returning Koreans began to walk down the stairs with smiles of relief. Leading the group was Kim Seo-gyeong who held the hands of her two daughters. Kim said, “I am glad to return home safely from Lebanon, where bombs fell every night. I really appreciate the government sending us a transport plane. I am proud of being a Korean citizen.” The two daughters also smiled innocently and held up letters that read, Thank You Soldiers.”

The evacuation operation of Koreans overseas in Lebanon began when President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the military to immediately mobilize military assets for their safe return home. This directive came on October 2, following reports that Koreans were having difficulty departing on civilian planes due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

The Defense Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry organized a support team consisting of the MOFA Rapid Response Team, military medical personnel and Air Force transport plane operation personnel. The Cygnus, carrying the support team, departed from Gimhae Airport on October 3 and arrived in Beirut, Lebanon in the morning of October 4. That afternoon, it departed for Korea with the evacuating Koreans. A C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft accompanied the Cygnus to prepare for contingencies where local airports might be inaccessible. Those who returned home said unanimously that Lebanon is in a seriously urgent situation now. The support team also reported feeling danger during the evacuation process. Lee Jae-yong, head of the Rapid Response Team, said, “I realized the seriousness of the situation when I saw black smoke not very far from Beirut Airport.”

Major Park Seong-tae, who piloted the Cygnus for 38 hours from its departure at Gimhae Airport, said, “I will maintain the posture and capability to complete the mission at any moment as long as we can protect people’s lives and property and contribute to international peace.” Air Force Chief of Staff Lee encouraged Air Force soldiers by saying, “I thank you all for fulfilling your duties faithfully on behalf of the nation. I extend my unlimited gratitude for your dedication and enthusiasm so far.”

The government said, “We will closely monitor developments in the Middle East and take various measures to ensure the safety of our people in the region, including Lebanon.”

 By Su-Yeol, Maeng <guns13@dema.mil.kr >

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