S. Korea to extend troop stay in Lebanon until next year

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- A National Assembly committee passed a motion Monday
to extend the deployment of South Korean troops in Lebanon until the end of next
year.

South Korea dispatched a 360-strong infantry and medical unit to the southern
city of Tyre in July 2007 as part of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The unit's mission is to expire this weekend, but the motion submitted by the
government calls for its extension for one and a half years.
The unification, foreign affairs and trade committee sent the motion to the
plenary floor which is almost certain to pass it at Wednesday's session.
The South Korean military, called "Dongmyeong (East Light)," conducts
reconnaissance and surveillance operations and also helps the daily lives of
local residents by building schools and other public facilities and providing
medical and education services.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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