[Korea MND News] Troops to UAE must be deployed by January [국방부 뉴스] 1월까지 UAE에 파병되어야

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea
Recent News, NO. 676
Troops to UAE must be deployed by January
Nov. 19, 2010 (Upload date: Nov. 22, 2010)

The Ministry of National Defense said on Nov. 17 that Korean combat troops organized to train military and practice joint drills in the United Arab Emirates have to be dispatched to the country by January next year so that training program could run smoothly.

The ministry added that such schedule is aligned with local training cycle, insisting regular training for specialities as well as from team-oriented drills to tactical training can be implemented systematically.

The ministry explained its position for each 22 question related to sending troops to UAE.

"Deployment [to the UAE] is different from other such things in the past," said the ministry. "Since there are no additional costs for organizing training programs and military facilities are fully established in the local region, we have no reason to delay the dispatch."

In response to a question whether the deployment is equivalent to a modern version of mercenary, it said that the dispatch plan has been set up in exchange for winning nuclear energy contract with UAE.

"The deployment is one of military exchange programs with UAE," the ministry said. "That the plan is same as mercenary is definitely wrong since we bear the cost and our service members, who will be under the Joint Chiefs of Staff's command, has nothing to do with combat mission."

In regards to possible terror threats toward Korean units and local Korean firms, the ministry replied that no terrorist group has been showing negative reaction since winning the nuclear contract.

In particular, not a single terror attack has been reported toward other countries' troops stationed in UAE so far, it said.