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South Korean peacekeepers deploy troops to South Sudan

Since its initial deployment in 2013, Korea's Hanbit unit has been aiding peacekeeping efforts and participating in recovery initiatives in the East African nation. (Photo: Yonhap News)

By Foreign Reporter | 03 Apr 2024

The upcoming rotation will see approximately 270 troops leaving Korea in phases, beginning on Sunday and continuing on April 14, for an eight-month mission in South Sudan.

A group of Korean soldiers is set to depart for South Sudan later this month as part of the regular rotation of troops involved in peacekeeping operations, military officials announced on Tuesday.

A send-off ceremony for the 18th rotation of the Hanbit unit was held in Incheon, just west of Seoul, to replace the current contingent serving under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

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Since its initial deployment in 2013, Korea's Hanbit unit has been aiding peacekeeping efforts and participating in recovery initiatives in the East African nation.

The upcoming rotation will see approximately 270 troops leaving Korea in phases, beginning on Sunday and continuing on April 14, for an eight-month mission in South Sudan.

Once deployed, the troops will engage in various reconstruction activities, including repairing social infrastructure, and will also operate a vocational school in the region.

The global security body extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan from March 14, 2024 until April 30, 2024.

March mandate renewal comes at a critical juncture, as South Sudan prepares for its post-independence elections.

In August 2022, all signatories to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan agreed to a roadmap extending the transitional period by 24 months to implement its key outstanding tasks.

The country's national elections are planned for December 2024.