[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Retaliatory Attack... Closely Monitoring Deployment of Dispatch Troops

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] On the early morning of the 8th (local time), the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched retaliatory attacks on the Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, where U.S. troops are stationed, prompting military authorities to remain vigilant.

On the same day, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "We are closely sharing information with the U.S. Department of Defense regarding Iran's attack on U.S. military bases and are carefully monitoring the developments that may follow."

Military authorities are reportedly assessing the need for military equipment support to protect and transport local Korean residents in case of emergency following the start of Iran's retaliatory attacks. The safety of our citizens is walking on thin ice. Since Commander Soleimani died at Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, if Iran retaliates, it could lead to military conflict, putting our citizens at risk. As of December 29 last year, about 1,600 Koreans were residing in Iraq, 290 in Iran, 700 in Israel, and 150 in Lebanon. If these individuals become endangered, the deployment of troops to the Middle East region cannot be ruled out.

Military authorities have reportedly ordered the dispatched troops in the Middle East to strengthen safety measures for their personnel. Our military has deployed troops to four countries. Approximately 280 personnel are part of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, stationed in Tyre, southern Lebanon, under the same name unit. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a neighboring country to Iraq, about 150 troops of the Ark Unit have been deployed. In South Sudan, which is experiencing civil war, there are about 280 members of the Hanbit Unit. In the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, Africa, which borders the Middle East region, about 300 personnel of the Cheonghae Unit are dispatched.

Some have raised the possibility that troops or equipment from the U.S. Forces Korea might be mobilized. However, it is said that "the possibility of mobilizing U.S. Forces Korea is considered low." General Robert Abrams, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, is currently reported to be staying in the United States.

However, on the 6th, General Park Han-ki, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, instructed, "Keep in mind the possibility of terrorist attacks on U.S. Forces Korea units, share information with intelligence agencies such as the National Intelligence Service, and share information on vulnerabilities with the U.S. military." Recently, it was also identified that the terrorist group 'Uzbek Independent Unit,' consisting of about 700 members mainly from Central Asia, is active domestically. This group follows the Islamic State (IS), so domestic terrorism cannot be ruled out.

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