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Korean troops mark two years in Iraqi
Kurdistan town
23.2.2006
By Jin Dae-woong
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South
Korean troops in Erbil, Kurdistan (northern Iraq),
tomorrow celebrate the second anniversary of the
mission to rehabilitate and bring security to the
war torn town.
The Zaytun division has supported the town's Kurdish
residents with medical, educational and construction
programs since its arrival in 2004. The name Zaytun
means olive in Arabic.
"I believe Zaytun's efforts have helped the flower
of peace and reconstruction to bloom in this harsh
land," the Zaytun division commander Jung Seung-jo
told the Korea Herald.
The unit paved roads, constructed schools and health
centers and repaired water supply facilities. The
unit also treated up to 25,000 local residents in
its hospital, offers industrial training and
provided necessities to people in need.
"We have conducted various activities to support the
social and economic development of the local
community and these activities have given the people
new hope," he said.
Korea sent the troops at the request of the U.S.
government in February 2004. It initially consisted
of 600 medics and engineers and 3,600 combat troops
joined later.
Korea retains the third-largest foreign military
presence in Iraq after the United States and
Britain.
The deployment had faced domestic opposition.
Lawmakers and activists condemned the plan for
helping the "unjustified" U.S.-led war and concern
about their safety was heightened following the
kidnap-murder of Korean translator Kim Sun-il by
Islamic militants in June 2004.
The 3,200 strong contingent is said to have made a
great contribution to the rehabilitation of the
Kurdish autonomous region.
In 2004, Korean troops distributed 12 billion won
($11.7 million) worth of humanitarian supplies to
needy residents of a local community, and built a
Zaytun health clinic for local residents.
In addition, it offered medical supplies worth
$135,000 including painkillers, tranquilizers and
antibiotics last year at the request of the
Kurdistan Regional Government following a bomb
attack in May.
With about 160 billion won earmarked for last year's
budget, the troops have also been working on
longer-term community improvement projects, such as
an improvement of the local water pumping station,
education facilities and job advisory centers.
Besides, the troops have helped stabilize Irbil,
compared with other regions of Iraq. There have been
no casualties among the Korean troops despite some
suicide bomb attacks in the northeastern region. No
terrorist attacks have occurred there since June 20,
2005.
"The Kurdish region's stable security compared to
other regions is attributable to Zaytun's successful
security operations in the region," said Ibrahim
Hasan, 52, the vice-spokesperson of the Kurdish
Democratic Party while he was visiting Korea early
this month.
"I hope the Zaytun troops continue to stay," he
said.
The Zaytun unit has also been training about 400
Iraqi soldiers and police since last February. The
Iraqis, who have been undergoing training in weapons
handling, building encampments and patrol-related
skills. They will later join the Iraqi Army or
National Guard.
"Through our friendship building activities, the
Zaytun division has built an image of the unit as a
member and friend of the community, rather than a
foreign military force. This created the atmosphere
for us to conduct other civil military activities"
the commander said. "We believe our activities are
heightening the profile of our national image and
contributing to enhance our national interest."
In a recent meeting with the commander, Erbil's
regional president expressed hopes to attract
various private Korean companies pledging various
favors in return for investment.
Beginning in March, the Korean troops will also
assume guard and escort missions for U.N. officials
in the region. The United Nations established a
branch office for the United Nations Assistance
Mission for Iraq last December to play a leading
role in Iraq's political normalization and
reconstruction in the northern region of the Middle
East country.
The Seoul government decided late last year to
reduce the troop levels by 1,000 with a year
extension of the troop presence there. The cutback
is scheduled to begin in this April.
Despite the partial pullout, Korea will remain
committed to supporting the rehabilitation of the
country, the commander said.
"The goal of the Zaytun division is to support the
peace and reconstruction activities in Iraq," Jung
said. "The goal of the Zaytun division will remain
the same in the year 2006."
www.koreaherald.co.kr
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