Assembly extends UNIFIL troop deployment

SEOUL, July 17 (UPI) -- South Korea's National Assembly has voted to keep its 360-strong troop deployment on U.N. peacekeeping duties in southern Lebanon until the end of 2010.

A motion was passed in a plenary session in favor of a bill for the infantry troops and medical unit to continue their operations in the city of Tyre, according to a report by the Yonhap news agency.

Korea's mission, apart from patrolling, was to support the Lebanese military while using their firearms for defense purposes only. They also worked with local residents in southern Lebanon by rebuilding schools, teaching computer lessons and offering medical assistance.

Their deployment was suspended in early January on the request of the high command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon after increased shelling in the area from Israel.

The shelling was in retaliation for shelling by Lebanese groups, particularly Hezbollah.

At first the South Korean troops increased their patrolling of the area as shelling intensified and came to within 10 miles of their base. There were no casualties, but their deployment was suspended within several days, a spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of National Defense said at the time.

The suspension was "temporary," according the ministry, and their troops remained in Lebanon but not on active duty.

The United Nations formally requested South Korean troops in April 2007 and the government responded quickly, sending the Dongmyeong Unit in June.

Dongmyeong, meaning "light from the east," was also the name of the founder of the peninsular area's Goguryeo Kingdom from 37 B.C. to 668. Dongmyeong was noted for his archery skill.

The unit's main weapon in Lebanon has been the Korean-made K1 automatic rifle from Daewoo, which comes with a hologram sight device for night use, according to a report on the government news and cultural Web site Korea.net.

Also used are M-26 electric guns, SSG-60 sniper rifles, K-201 grenade launchers and a surveillance device called the "Dongmyeong Eye" for detecting objects as far away as 5 kilometers. They patrol using the personnel carrier RG-31 Nyala mine-protected vehicles, made in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, a division of BAE Systems.

The UNIFIL commander, Italian Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano, awarded the Korean unit, then under Col. Kang Chan-ok, the U.N. Medal in June 2008 for successfully carrying out peacekeeping duties.

UNIFIL was created in March 1978 under Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, and later extended under Resolution 1701, to maintain disengagement between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters. UNIFIL is also to help the Lebanese government regain control of the southern part of the country, south of the Litani River.

Nearly 14,000 troops from around 27 countries are wearing the U.N. blue helmets within UNIFIL. Germany has around 2,400 personnel in maritime patrols, France 2,000 ground troops and navy personnel, and the People's Republic of China has around 200 engineers mostly clearing land mines.

Exact numbers serving in UNIFIL vary according to official deployment dates of units, vessel sailings and national mandate periods.

No South Korean soldiers have been among the 258 UNIFIL casualties that have included 47 from Ireland, 3 from the United Kingdom, 4 from Fiji and 11 from France.