The South Korean government has decided to extend the deployment of the Dongmyeong and Hanbit units currently stationed in Lebanon and South Sudan, and will initiate the parliamentary approval process.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on July 30 that it finalized the extension plan during the 2026 United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Policy Council meeting, chaired by Deputy Minister Kim Jin-ah at the ministry's office in Seoul.
Officials from related agencies, including the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the National Police Agency, attended the meeting to discuss the necessity of extending the deployments. They concluded that the extension was justified based on the South Korean military's contributions to international peacekeeping, past operational achievements, evaluations from the United Nations and local governments, and the regional situation.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is set to officially conclude its mission in December under UN Security Council Resolution 2790. Consequently, the Dongmyeong unit will enhance inter-agency cooperation to ensure a safe withdrawal next year.
Deputy Minister Kim expressed gratitude for the dedication of the troops, stating, "I deeply appreciate the efforts of our soldiers who have earned the trust of the international community and the host country while fulfilling their duties under challenging local conditions."
Based on consultations with relevant ministries, the government plans to submit the extension agreement for the Dongmyeong and Hanbit units to the National Assembly soon.
Additionally, the government aims to continue collaborating with the United Nations and the international community to enhance the effectiveness of its PKO contributions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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