[Yonhap Photo]
Hundreds of South Korean troops headed to Lebanon on Wednesday to join the U.N.-led peacekeeping operations, the Army said.
South Korea has stationed the Dongmyeong Unit there since 2007 as part of the U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Dongmyeong means light from east.
As South Korea's longest-serving military unit abroad, Dongmyeong is tasked with surveillance and patrol operations in the Tyre region as well as medical services for local soldiers and residents.
The 317-member replacement contingent, the 19th of its kind, has an eight-month mission in the country. The troops, selected in uphill competitions, have completed five weeks of tactical trainings and Islamic culture study.
The Dongmyeong unit is known not just for the successful implementation of its combat missions but also for humanitarian activities for the locals.
It has carried out more than 320 humanitarian aid projects such as road construction, electricity supply and improvement of public facilities.
It has also offered medical services to around 93,000 local residents and taught 2,400 people taekwondo, according to the Army.
(Yonhap)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
