Ministry of National Defense "Adjustment of Deployment Timing to South Sudan... No Directive from Cheongwadae"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The Ministry of National Defense has stated that the media reports claiming "the Blue House instructed to delay the rotation timing of the Hanbit Unit deployed in South Sudan, Africa" are not true.

Choi Hyun-soo, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular briefing on the 5th, "There has been no instruction from the Blue House on this matter, and the Ministry of National Defense is reviewing it in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations, and other related departments." He added, "We are considering adjusting the rotation timing of the 11th and 12th Hanbit Unit, originally scheduled for March, by comprehensively taking into account the domestic and international COVID-19 situation, the local conditions in the deployment country, and the operational environment of the Hanbit Unit."

Originally, the 12th Hanbit Unit was scheduled to depart for South Sudan twice, on the 9th and 23rd of this month, to replace the 11th unit. The Ministry of National Defense is reportedly considering sending the advance party of the 12th unit around the 23rd, with the remaining troops dispatched by the end of April.

South Sudan does not restrict entry of Koreans related to COVID-19. However, due to poor medical facilities, if confirmed cases occur domestically, there is a possibility of entry restrictions, so the relevant government departments are closely monitoring the situation.

The Arab Emirates (UAE), where the Ark Unit is deployed, has also not blocked entry of Koreans. The rotation timing for the Ark Unit is mid-June. On the other hand, Lebanon, where the Dongmyeong Unit is deployed, has announced a ban on entry for foreigners who have visited countries such as Korea, China, Iran, and Italy. Foreign troops deployed in Lebanon (including Korean troops) are under the United Nations and are reportedly not subject to entry restrictions. The rotation timing for the Dongmyeong Unit is the end of August.

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