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South Korean army a success in Kurdistan
31.1.2008
By Qassim Khidir and Eleni Fergadi
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Most
Kurds prefer that the South Korean Army maintain its
presence in the region.
January
31, 2008
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan Region 'Iraq',-- As
a key player in the reconstruction of Kurdistan
Region, the Korean Army's philosophy of "teaching
the local population how to fish rather than just
giving them one" has had a strong and lasting
impact.
The Republic of Korea Zaytun Peace and
Reconstruction Division in Erbil, the capital of
Kurdistan Region, has been present since September
22, 2004, and has undertaken a great deal of
projects with amazing success. The success is such
that a survey last year showed more than 80% of
people in Erbil not only support the work done but
would also like to see more of it-something that
serves as a clear indication of the popularity the
Zaytun Division.
In late 2007, The Globe conducted a survey of 200
people over 20 years of age in Erbil city, including
teachers, students, employees in government
establishments and ministries, intellectuals, and
laborers. |
Zaytun camp, the base of South Korean troops in
Iraqi Kurdistan |
Results showed that 84%
want the South Korean Army, also known as Zaytun
Division, to stay in Kurdistan longer than their
scheduled time of withdrawal. In addition, 12%
wanted the South Koreans to withdraw at the end of
2007, and 4% said they did not care because they
were unfamiliar with the South Korean Army's
presence in the region.
The Zaytun Division has supported the Kurdistan
Region with medical, educational, and construction
programs since its arrival. The name Zaytun means
olive in Arabic. Most of the Korean troops in Erbil
are engineers and medics; they have paved roads,
constructed schools and health centers,www.ekurd.net
and repaired water
supply facilities. The unit has also treated
thousands of local residents in its hospital, and
offered industrial and systematic training to locals
and government employees.
However, little if anything has been publicly
advertised about the Division's professionalism and
commitment to "getting things done." The Globe
visited the Zaytun Division and had the pleasure of
interviewing the Chief of Staff, Col. Kang, and Col.
Lee Jung Gi.
Col. Lee, chief of the Civil-Military Coordination
Center (CIMIC), stressed that "after the Korean War,
the South experienced similar problems regarding
infrastructure, so we have both the will and
experience to aid the Kurdish people to achieve
their goals." The CIMIC not only performs
infrastructural projects such as building schools
and hospitals as well as water pipe installation and
road construction, but more importantly, it also
focuses on building the community. With initiatives
such as literacy and sports classes as well as
overseas training and the vocational training center,
the Zaytun Division is essentially creating job
opportunities for local people.
Col. Lee said Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
officials visit the Zaytun Division every two weeks
in order to follow up on existing projects and stay
in direct and continuing contact about future needs.
"We also want to enhance people's income in rural
areas" said Col. Lee. "We are trying to teach them
new practical and effective ways of cultivating
their land, and for this we need to look at
long-term solutions. We are witnessing success and
failures but we learn from the latter and push for
the first."
Coalition Forces in Iraq are very impressed by the
Korean's activities in Kurdistan Region, added Col.
Lee.
The big picture: "Iraq"
The majority of people in Kurdistan want the South
Korean troops to stay in the region for a long
period, and the KRG is urging South Korean companies
to invest in Kurdistan Region, but businessmen in
South Korea don't see Kurdistan as a different part
of Iraq, a part where security is stable. They look
at Iraq as one big picture.
Col. Kang said that although security in Kurdistan
is very stable and Iraqi security is improving
little by little, people in South Korea are afraid
come to Kurdistan Region.
"As an Army, we want to stay here until Kurdistan is
brought to the level of South Korea, but the
decision of how long we will stay here is in the
hands of our Parliament," said Col. Kang,www.ekurd.net
who hopes that Korean
companies in the fields of information technology
and reconstruction will invest in the region.
Last December, the South Korean Parliament decided
to extend the civilian mission of the South Korean
Army in Kurdistan Region until the end of 2008.
Col. Lee said there is a lack of self-sufficiency
among some of the people in Kurdistan, and he urged
Kurds to be self-reliant in order to further develop
their region.
Kurdishglobe net
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