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Koreans and Kurds dance together in
Kurdiatn-Iraq
23.11.2005
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ERBIL, Kurdistan-Iraq, Nov 23 (AFP) - 13h36 - In
a celebration featuring folkloric songs, drumming,
and a massive bonfire, Kurds and Koreans celebrated
the changing of the guard for the 3,200-strong South
Korean unit stationed in Kurdistan (northern Iraq).
The event, held Tuesday evening at the Zeitoun base
in western Arbil, was attended by representatives of
the local Iraqi government and a Korean
parliamentary delegation, as well as a number of
Kurdish adults and children whose villages received
aid from the Korean troops.
The festival comes on the heels of the endorsement
by Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-Chan of a bill to
reduce the number of Korean troops in Iraq by a
third in the first of half of 2006.
The evening, which was presented by a female Korean
soldier and her Kurdish translator both wearing
Korean folkloric dress, went on late into the night
and began with a children's play on the importance
of national unity and cooperation in rebuilding
Iraq.
For two hours, the Korean folkloric group drummed
and sang traditional songs along with some
newly-composed about the humanitarian achievements
of the Korean troops.
"This party is a great occasion to bring us closer
together and I hope that these celebrations will
continue, as well as our cooperation to rebuild
Kurdistan," said one Kurd in the audience.
The climax of the event was a massive bonfire in the
center of camp around which the soldiers and their
Kurdish guests danced and sang.
The South Korean contingent is the third largest in
the US-led multi-national forces in Iraq. Korean
troops, however, restrict their activities to relief
and rehabilitation efforts.
AFP
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