South Korea to Send 400 Troops to Lebanon for U.N. Peacekeeping Mission

South Korea's Defense Ministry plans to submit a bill to the National Assembly early next month to dispatch about 400 troops, mainly special forces, to Lebanon to participate in a multinational peacekeeping operation. This decision comes after a field survey was conducted in October to assess the feasibility of contributing troops to the U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. The deployment will be funded entirely by the United Nations.

Key Takeaways:

• South Korea will dispatch approximately 400 troops to Lebanon, consisting of 270 special forces and 130 medics, transportation, and administrative soldiers.
• The U.N. will bear all costs necessary for dispatching and maintaining the troops in Lebanon.
• The deployment's exact timetable and location will be determined after consultation with the U.N.
• The South Korean government is facing a divided public opinion on the deployment of troops in Iraq, particularly with the Zaytun unit's mandate set to expire at the end of December.
• South Korea initially deployed 3,300 troops in Iraq and currently has 2,400 troops remaining as part of the Zaytun unit.

Statistics:

• Approximately 400 troops will be dispatched to Lebanon.
• The task force consists of 270 special forces and 130 medics, transportation, and administrative soldiers.
• The U.N. will bear all costs associated with the deployment.
• South Korea has 2,400 troops remaining in Iraq as part of the Zaytun unit.
• The Zaytun unit's deployment mandate is set to expire on December 31.

Sources:

• Yonhap, South Korea to Send 400 Troops to Lebanon for U.N. Peacekeeping Mission
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