Unit Dongmyeong

Unit Dongmyeong in Lebanon (Korean: 동명부대, Hanja: 東明 means 'light from the east' ) is one of UN Peacekeeping Forces sent to Lebanon by Republic of Korea Armed Forces (ROKA). It was formed June 21th, 2007.In 1975, after the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War, when there was an armed clash between Christians, Lebanon military force, Syria military force and Israel military force. To prevent this war, United Nation passed a UNSC (United Nation Security Council) resolution no 425 and no 426 and then activated the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Republic of Korea send Unit Dongmyeong to Lebanon on July, 2007. Unit Dongmyeong consists of 300 people including one battalion of Special Forces of Korea and specialists like engineer, communications, transportation, maintenance and medical personnel.

Unit Dongmyeong is a fifth PKO(Peace Keeping Operation) mission of Republic of Korea and a second combat unit after Unit Sangnoksu.^[1]

Activation

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon(UNIFIL) has been working to mediate a Lebanese Civil War and conflict of Israel from 1978. However, in 2006, there is an armed crash between Israel and Hezbollah, it caused over 1000 civilian casualties. To resolve the conflict, United Nation(UN) adopted UNSC(United Nation Security Council) resolution no 1701 which requested member nations of the UN to send troops for UNIFIL military strength up to 15,000. Korean government passed the agenda in Cabinet meeting in November 2006 and it was agreed Assembly on December. Consequently, the first Unit of Dongmyeong in Lebanon was founded with 350 soldiers on June 18, 2007. Recently, on July 26 in 2016, the 18th Unit was sent to Lebanon. Unit Dongmyeong has been carrying its duties since the dispatch.^{[2][3] [4]}

Missions

Members of Unit dongmyeong after receiving UN Peace Medal, The Menbers of Unit Dongmyeong is marching after receiving a UN peace medal at the UN peace parade.

The missions of Unit Dongmyeong are surveillance reconnaissance operations about an influx of armed forces or illegal weapons, the military's collaborative operations with citizen for establishing friendly operations environment, support for Lebanese Armed Forces(LAF) and sustentation of supporting system and maintaining personal or battalion protective posture. Unit Dongmyeong consists of under the western brigade of UNIFIL, and is responsible for the area of the region of Tyre. The battalion conducted a surveillance watch on the area eight times a day, to successfully execute numerous operations without accident.^[5]

Organization

• Commander : The commander of Unit Dongmyeong is Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel. The leader of 18th Unit, Yang Jeon-sub is a commander of the Unit as of July 26th, 2016.^[6]The first commander is Colonel Kim Woong-geon.^[7]

• Operational Forces : These forces are core combat power of the Unit Dongmyeong they are composed of Special Forces of Korea. They conduct fixed surveillance patrols, allied patrol, EOD(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) reconnaissance, rapid response forces, staging troops, and civil action.

• Operational support forces : These forces conduct supporting operational actions combat support, CSS(Combat Service Support). They are composed of Engineer Company, Armored platoon which operates an armoured car(TM-170), surveillance section, EOD section for explosive ordnance disposal..^[8]

• The Forces under the Direct control : These forces are divided into three categories, Medical Force, Military Police Force and Counter-terrorism Team. The Medical Force perform medical supporting for soldiers and local residents and cattles. The Military Police Force are responsible for the discipline and security of the troops. The Counter-terrorism Team conduct operations of counter-terrorism and security support missions.^[9]

Symbols

Flag of Unit Dongmyeong, There is hanging the flag of Unit dongmeyong with a taegukki.

The name of unit Dongmyeong (Hanja: 東明,the light from the east) have a symbolic meaning of " a peaceful light for Lebanon from the East." ^[10] The symbol of the unit consists of a Taegeuk mark and a evergreen hill as background. The green background symbolizes the green pasture and means hope and peace. A Taegeuk mark located in middle means the peace and safety also Blue Hill stands for humanitarian aid and relief activities by South Korea. The slogan of the Unit Dongmyeong is 'complication of any mission as a whole!'

Major Operations

The Unit Dongmyeong has the longest record for their dispatch historically among the dispatch of South Korean UN Peacekeeping Forces. Nowadays, South Korea has been developed as one of the top 10 economic superpowers, which was a poor country had to receive the international aid. As a result, South Korea actively involved in supporting countries who need a help.^[11]

The unit Dongmyeong's medical care support, Unit Dongmyeong support their medical care for the civilians.

The Unit Dongmyeong is now conducting diverse military operations with citizen in Lebanon by establishing various classes for learning computer, sewing, Taekwondo near their Unit post. Also, Unit Dongmyeong is actively supporting the medical care for the civilians by touring 5 villages a week. The Unit has been cured approximately 81,816 people in Lebanon so locals call the unit as a 'Gift from God', 'Familiar neighbor'. ^[12][13]

Accomplishment and Evaluation

The Unit Dongmyeong has conducted 30,576 reconnaissance operations until now. They have identified 13 vehicles which were suspected terror attack in early stage. Also they have conducted 81,816 medical missions. Unit Dongmyeong were closely involved in the welfare of Lebanon as well as military aid. The Unit conducted 215 services of civic welfare projects, such as improvements of public facilities(K-Road), school facilities, and sewerage facilities. And they operate computers, Hangul, Taekwondo, sewing classes, and libraries(K-Library) in five villages for children and teens in Lebanon.^[14]

Unit Dongmyeong received excellent reviews in operational performance. Recently, They won the Excellent level on combined training(COMBINE-X) which was operated by western brigade of UNIFIL.^[15] On December 3, 2014, 316 soldiers of 15th Unit of Dongmyeong won the UN Medal. With the win, the forces were not only the longest dispatched troops of Korean PKO forces, but also recorded as the most frequent UN Medal winners. Dongmyeong soldiers have received a total of 5091 soldiers for seven years since they were dispatched to Lebanon]] in 2007.^[16] The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who visited the Unit Dongmyeong on January 17, 2009, said, "It is greatly contributing that your efforts and devotions for peacekeeping of Lebanon which enhance not only peace of the world but status of Republic of Korea.^[17] Tahsin Mubarak ali, the principal of the local school, said, "The generous support of the Unit Dongmyeong has restored laughter to the children who were socially and psychologically depressed. I thanks for setting up a place where kids can play freely."^[18] As recognition of their achievement, Unit Dongmyeong was evaluated as "Supreme Forces" among 39 nation's forces in Lebanon. They conferred an honorary citizenship for the first time among the Foreign Armies.^[19]

References

1. ↑ 전 (Jeon), 종선 (Jongseon) (2016-10-01). "'다큐공감' 레바논 동명부대, 진정한 태양의 후예를 만나다 2016. 10. 01" [Dongmyeong Unit, meat the descendant of the Sun]. sedaily (in Korean). 
2. ↑ 김 (Kim), 훈기 (Hunki) (2014-07-25). "동명부대 15진 환송식2014. 7. 25" [farewell ceremonies of 15th Unit Dongmyeong]. newsis (in Korean). 
3. ↑ 이 (Lee), 영선 (Yeongseon) (2014-07-07). "동명부대 15진 임무수행'스타트'2014. 7. 7 / 국방일보" [Starting of their mission, Dongmyeong Unit]. Kookbang (in Korean). 
4. ↑ 최 (Choi), 태용 (Taeyong) (2014-07-04). "레바논 파병 15진 편성식 2014. 7. 4 / 뉴시스" [farewell Starting ceremony of 15th Unit of Dongmyeong]. newsis (in Korean). 
5. ↑ 안(Ahn), 두원 (Doowon) (2016-06-09). "해외파병부대 어디서 어떤 임무하고 있나 2016. 06. 09" [Where and what the Overseas Deployment Of ROKA is doing now?]. MK (in Korean). 
6. ↑ 우 (Woo), 한솔(Hansol) (2016-07-25). "레바논 파병 동명부대 18진 환송식…치과군의관 첫 포함 2016. 7. 26" [farewell ceremonies of 18th Unit Dongmyeong containg the first army surgeon]. news.kbs (in Korean). 
7. ↑ 김 (Kim), 철환(ChulHwan) (2014-10-26). ""레바논 코카리안 중위, 유단자인가?" 2014. 10. 26" [Is the first lieutenant Kokarian holding the black belt of Taekwondo?]. kookbang (in Korean). 
8. ↑ 윤 (Yoon), 태현 (Taehyeon) (2016-07-26). "'동명부대 파이팅' 2016. 07. 26" [Go For It, Dongmyeong]. yonhapnews (in Korean). Yonhap. 
9. ↑ 이 (Lee), 석종(Sukjong) (2014-08-11). "레바논 동명부대 지휘관 이·취임식2014. 08. 11" [Inauguration of Commander Dongmyeong Unit]. kookbang (in Korean). 
10. ↑ 김 (Kim), 철환(ChulHwan) (2014-11-11). ""동명부대, 역시 동방의 등불"" [Expectably, the light of the east. Dongmyeong!]. kookbang (in Korean). 
11. ↑ 김 (Kim), 철환(ChulHwan) (2014-09-18). "세계평화의 날에 느끼는 대한민국 국격" [We experience the national status of Korea when the world peace day]. kookbang (in Korean). 
12. ↑ "동명부대, 한글 알리기에 앞장서다(2014. 10. 13 / 아미누리)" [Unit Dongmyeong lead the notifying of Korean]. armynuri (in Korean). 2014-10-13. 
13. ↑ 이 (Lee), 승복(Seungbok) (2014-10-10). "한글문화 세계에 알리노니..." [ROKA, let all the world know about culture of Korean(Hangul)]. kookbang (in Korean). 
14. ↑ "대한민국 국방부(Ministry of National Defense of Republic of Korea)" [ROKA, The ROK army in the world]. Ministry of National Defense (in Korean). 
15. ↑ 김 (Kim), 철환(ChulHwan) (2016-11-03). "테러 등 유사시 대처 능력 레바논 동명부대 'Excellent' 국방일보 2016. 11. 03" [Dongmyeong Unit received grade 'Excellent' in the Ability of terrorism management]. kookbang (in Korean). 
16. ↑ 김 (Kim), 철환(ChulHwan) (2014-12-04). "동명부대 최다인원 유엔 메달 수상 영예 국방일보 2014. 12. 04" [Unit Dongmyeong had a graceful honor of reciving the most medals of UN Peace]. kookbang (in Korean). 
17. ↑ "반기문총장 동명부대 방문 2009. 01. 18" [The UN secretary general Ban-ki-moon visit Unit Dongmyeong in Lebanon]. ytn (in Korean). 2009-01-18. 
18. ↑ 윤 (Yoon), 병노(Byeongno) (2015-12-07). "[동명부대] 웃음과 정성 깃들인 의료 지원 2015. 12. 07" [supporting for medical treatment with full of smile]. kookbang (in Korean). 
19. ↑ 서 (Seo), 지영(Jiyoung) (2015-12-14). "최장 기간 파병 동명부대…테러 위협 속 맹활약 2015. 12. 14" [Unit Dongmyeong showed vigorous activity despite of threat of terrorism.]. news.kbs (in Korean). 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dong-Myung Unit.

• Facebook page of Unit Dongmyeong
• Homepage of Ministry of National Defense of Rebulic of Korea
• Homepage of Peacekeeping in Korea