S. Korea to launch 3,000-strong peacekeeping unit in 2010

SEOUL, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to launch a 3,000-strong military
unit next year that can be readily deployed overseas for peacekeeping operations,
a defense official said Sunday.
The unit will consist of a dedicated 1,000-strong special forces unit from the
country's Special Warfare Command, along with additional troops who can be
deployed as back-ups.
Air force, navy and engineering troops will also serve as support elements, the
official said on customary condition of anonymity.
The defense ministry is seeking a law revision to enable the prompt global
deployment of South Korean soldiers for peacekeeping purposes at the request of
the United Nations.
Troops are hastily recruited from different units of the military under the
current system, a time-consuming process that also causes administrative
problems, ministry officials say.
The plan comes as South Korea has moved to increase its role in multinational and
U.N. security operations.
Hundreds of South Korean soldiers are serving in such places as Lebanon, where
360 troops have been deployed since 2007.
The country also sent a destroyer with a 300-person crew to join a U.S.-led
anti-piracy campaign in Somali waters earlier this year.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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