S. Korean Troops in Lebanon Honored

Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano, right, the Italian commander who heads the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, pins a U.N. medal on Col. Kang Chan-ok, chief of the Dongmyeong Unit there in a ceremony in Tyre, south of Beirut, Thursday. / Yonhap

By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

South Korean peacekeeping troops stationed in Lebanon received honorary medals from the United Nations Wednesday for their efforts in maintaining security in the conflict-ridden Middle East nation, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano, commander of the U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), decorated officers and enlisted soldiers from the Dongmyeong Unit with the United Nations medals in a ceremony in Tyre, 83 kilometers south of Beirut, it said in a news release.

The U.N. medal is bestowed to the various militaries of the world for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief.

``We're very happy and proud of receiving this honorary medals for our successful peacekeeping operations here,'' said Col. Kang Chan-ok, chief of the 350-strong unit. ``We will continue our efforts to raise South Korea's international profile, as well as to contribute to supporting U.N. missions to maintain peace around the world and resolve global disputes.''

In July last year, Seoul dispatched 350 troops, mostly special forces and engineers, to the southern region of Lebanon at the request of the U.N.

More than 13,000 troops from 30 countries, including Italy, Spain and India, are participating in the UNIFIL operations aimed at overseeing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and ensuring stability of the central Lebanese government in the area.

Dongmyeong is stationed in the western part of the region, which is a relatively safe part of the country, as it does not border Israel.

The unit has carried out about 4,000 successful reconnaissance and surveillance operations there, a JCS spokesman said. It also conducts community outreach activities under the name of ``Peace Wave'' operation, such as reconstruction of schools and public facilities, and medical and educational programs, he said.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

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