Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Continuing Korea’s status in South Sudan, Africa

A ceremony to organize the 4th Hanbit unit, which will conduct Peace Keeping Operation(PKO) in Bor city, South Sudan, was held at Incheon International Peace Corps on September 23.

These 291 elite troops were selected after an intense competition ratio averaging 4.8 to 1, including Lieutenant Colonel Jung Sung-hwan serving as a chief of military engineering.

Before the departure in the end of October, they will receive a five-week education from a military educational institution and relevant private company mainly regarding reconstruction missions, humanitarian support, operation and maintenance of equipment necessary for various kinds of civil-military operations, Taekwondo and Samulnori. There are other intensive courses they will undergo as well such as physical training, base defense, safe-conduct and surveillance reconnaissance, and tactical drills by situation for the perfect mission completion.

Hanbit unit, which was dispatched to South Sudan at the request of the UN in March 2013, and brought light to South Sudan, which had been devastated due to the long civil war, is acclaimed as “God‘s blessing” by the local people. Especially for the 50th anniversary of overseas dispatch, this year, Korea‘s status will soar with the unit turning a country in need to a beneficent country.

Head of dispatching ready group, Jung said, “Taking pride in all the soldiers of the 4th Hanbit unit serving as military diplomats who represent Korea, we will make full readiness to continue the reputation the 3rd unit has established.”

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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