Printer-friendly VersionThe Kurdish Globe
For over four years, South Korean troops have provided invaluable medical, training, and construction services to the Region.
During a ceremony held in Erbil on Wednesday for the sendoff of South Korean troops, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani called on South Korean companies to invest in Kurdistan Region, where they will be warmly welcomed.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking Korean officials and representatives from the KRG and the Iraqi federal government.
"The return of the South Korean troops to their country shouldn't be considered the end of bilateral relations; instead, regard it as a new phase of relations," said Prime Minister Barzani.
Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani and Prime Minister Barzani separately thanked the Korean people and government for their help in the region and expressed hope of future relations.
The South Korean troops based in Erbil officially announced the end of their work in the province and are preparing for a complete withdrawal this month, officials said.
During the past four years of their presence in the Kurdish city of Erbil, the Zaytun Division of South Korea's forces took part in implementing construction projects including schools, hospitals, roads, and rebuilding villages, rather than taking part in security procedures.
"The Zaytun Division successfully performed its work and activities, and today we proudly return home," said Maj. Gen. Pak Son Woo, commander of the South Korean forces in Erbil. He expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the KRG and coalition forces.
Despite the end of the mission, Kurdish and Korean officials insist on keeping relations, mostly economic, in the future. Two large South Korean companies have already contracted with the KRG on oil projects, and there are signs that more Korean companies will come.
During their presence, the Zaytun Division built 61 schools and 15 medical stations, and fulfilled 86 water projects in addition to other activities. It also offered vocational training to more than 2,000 Iraqi youths. The Zaytun hospital was located inside the division's compound; it offered medical services to more than 86,000 Kurdistan citizens.
American troops will be training Kurdistan Peshmarga forces as well as handling construction projects in the province, Iraqi army Chief of Staff Babakir Zebari said during the ceremony.
As the third biggest foreign troops in Iraq after the American and British forces, South Korea has deployed 3,600 troops to Erbil since September 2004. Since then, the South Korean Parliament extended their troop presence in Iraq four times. There were no casualties.
The withdrawal of the Korean forces comes as the United Nations' mandate for military operations in Iraq ends by end of this year, and because there is no request from the U.S. forces to extend their presence, a Korean defense official said.
The troops began pulling out early this year; before the ceremony, only 550 Korean soldiers remained in Erbil. The remaining troops, including those of an air support unit based in neighboring Kuwait, will be gone before December 20, according to South Korea's military command.