Dispatch of Troops Inevitable When Citizens Residing in the Middle East Are at Risk

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The U.S. has heightened military tensions by eliminating Qasem Soleimani, a key figure in the Iranian military and commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Considering the safety of our nationals residing in Iraq, where Commander Soleimani was killed, the military authorities are deeply deliberating whether to expand the operational scope of the deployed troops to the Strait of Hormuz.

On the 6th, a government official stated, "The currently deployed troops are carrying out their missions without any issues and are closely monitoring the situation related to Iran."

The safety of our nationals is walking on thin ice. Since Commander Soleimani was killed at Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, if Iran retaliates, it could lead to military conflict, putting our nationals at risk. As of December 29 last year, approximately 1,600 of our nationals reside in Iraq, about 290 in Iran, around 700 in Israel, and roughly 150 in Lebanon. Should these individuals be endangered, deploying troops to the Middle East region cannot be ruled out.

Our military has deployed personnel to four countries. Approximately 280 personnel are part of the Dongmyeong Unit, the UN peacekeeping force in Tyre, southern Lebanon. The Dongmyeong Unit conducts solo and joint surveillance operations to prevent the influx of armed groups and jointly operates checkpoints with other dispatched countries. On the 9th of last month, the 23rd rotation of the Dongmyeong Unit departed for relief. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a neighboring country to Iraq, 150 personnel of the Ark Unit have been deployed. The Ark Unit supports training and education for the UAE Special Forces and conducts joint exercises with them.

In South Sudan, which is experiencing civil war, about 280 personnel of the Hanbit Unit are stationed. This unit has been performing United Nations peacekeeping operations (PKO). In the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, located near the Middle East, approximately 300 personnel of the Cheonghae Unit are deployed. The Cheonghae Unit ensures maritime safety in the Gulf of Aden, through which about 30% of South Korea's total cargo volume passes. Following the approval of four dispatch extension agreements last month, the deployment period for these units has been extended by one year, allowing them to remain overseas until December 31, 2020.

The government is considering the possibility of expanding the operational scope of the Cheonghae Unit, currently performing missions in the Gulf of Aden, to the Strait of Hormuz. The 31st rotation of the Cheonghae Unit, the Wang Geon ship, is scheduled to arrive in the Gulf of Aden in mid-month to relieve the current unit. The straight-line distance from the Gulf of Aden to the Strait of Hormuz is approximately 1,800 km, which can be covered in about three days. Although the government has reviewed dispatching troops to the Strait of Hormuz at the request of the U.S., it has not reached a conclusion due to anticipated strong backlash from Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.