ID :
36058
Wed, 12/17/2008 - 10:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/36058
The shortlink copeid
Korean unit in Iraq to be dissolved this week after pullout
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's contingent to Iraq will complete its
withdrawal this week and be dissolved, officially ending its 4-year mission to
help rebuild the war-torn Middle Eastern state, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff
(JCS) said Wednesday.
A ceremony will be held Friday to mark the official disbandment of the Zaytun
Unit, currently stationed in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. The unit is
expected to complete its pullout earlier that day, along with its Kuwait-based
air support unit, Daiman.
"The troops from both Zaytun and Daiman will be received by Defense Minister Lee
Sang-hee and other key leaders of the military at the Seoul Airport. They will
undergo a brief physical examination and then move to the Seoul base of the Armed
Forces Athletic Corps for a welcoming reception, followed by a ceremony to mark
the disbandment of their units," the JCS said in a press release.
The disbandment ceremony will be hosted by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and will
be attended by all key members of the military, including the chairman of the JCS
and the chiefs of all armed services, it said.
The ceremony will mark the official termination of the Iraq mission that was
launched in September 2004.
Over 18,000 troops have served in Iraq and Kuwait through four extensions of
troop deployment since 2004 while the Zaytun unit provided medical services to
over 88,000 local residents.
Earlier this month, the Zaytun unit donated over 36,000 articles of heavy
equipment and other supplies, as well as a hospital and a library, to the
Kurdistan Regional Government that controls the northern part of Iraq.
"The time I served with Daiman will always remain with me as a good memory. I am
proud and happy to have contributed what little strength I have to the successful
completion of the mission of our unit and building peace in Iraq," First Sgt. Kim
Dae-hyoung was quoted as saying.
As an experienced engineer for C-130 transport aircraft, Kim was dispatched five
times to the unit based in Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base and served an
accumulated period of 26 months there, according to the JCS.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's contingent to Iraq will complete its
withdrawal this week and be dissolved, officially ending its 4-year mission to
help rebuild the war-torn Middle Eastern state, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff
(JCS) said Wednesday.
A ceremony will be held Friday to mark the official disbandment of the Zaytun
Unit, currently stationed in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. The unit is
expected to complete its pullout earlier that day, along with its Kuwait-based
air support unit, Daiman.
"The troops from both Zaytun and Daiman will be received by Defense Minister Lee
Sang-hee and other key leaders of the military at the Seoul Airport. They will
undergo a brief physical examination and then move to the Seoul base of the Armed
Forces Athletic Corps for a welcoming reception, followed by a ceremony to mark
the disbandment of their units," the JCS said in a press release.
The disbandment ceremony will be hosted by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and will
be attended by all key members of the military, including the chairman of the JCS
and the chiefs of all armed services, it said.
The ceremony will mark the official termination of the Iraq mission that was
launched in September 2004.
Over 18,000 troops have served in Iraq and Kuwait through four extensions of
troop deployment since 2004 while the Zaytun unit provided medical services to
over 88,000 local residents.
Earlier this month, the Zaytun unit donated over 36,000 articles of heavy
equipment and other supplies, as well as a hospital and a library, to the
Kurdistan Regional Government that controls the northern part of Iraq.
"The time I served with Daiman will always remain with me as a good memory. I am
proud and happy to have contributed what little strength I have to the successful
completion of the mission of our unit and building peace in Iraq," First Sgt. Kim
Dae-hyoung was quoted as saying.
As an experienced engineer for C-130 transport aircraft, Kim was dispatched five
times to the unit based in Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base and served an
accumulated period of 26 months there, according to the JCS.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
