| Hangul: | 동명부대 |
| Hanja: | 東明部隊 |
| Rr: | Dongmyeong Budae |
| Mr: | Tongmyŏng Pudae |
Dongmyeong Unit (Korean: 동명부대, Hanja: 東明 dongmyeong means 'light from the east') is one of the UN Peacekeeping Forces sent to Lebanon by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces (ROKA). It was formed on 21June2007.[1] The conflict in Lebanon began in 1975, after an outbreak of armed clashes between Christians and the Lebanese, Syrian and Israeli militaries leading into the Lebanese Civil War. To prevent ongoing hostilities, the United Nations passed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 425 and 426, activating the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). As part of its contribution to UN forces, the Republic of Korea sent the Dongmyeong Unit as a rotational force to Lebanon in July2007. The Dongmyeong Unit consisted of 300people, including one battalion of Korean Special Forces and specialist troops filling various roles including engineering, communications, transport, maintenance and medical support.
The Dongmyeong Unit is the fifth Peace Keeping Operation (PKO) mission of the Republic of Korea and the second combat unit raised after the Sangnoksu Unit.[2]
UNIFIL has been working to mediate a resolution to the Lebanese Civil War and the conflict with Israel since 1978. In 2006, renewed armed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah caused over 1000civilian casualties. To resolve the conflict, the United Nations (UN) adopted UNSC resolution 1701, requesting member nations to send up to 15,000troops as part of UNIFIL. The South Korean government passed the agenda in a cabinet meeting in November 2006 and it was agreed to by the assembly in December. Consequently, the first rotation of the Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon with 350soldiers was deployed on 18June2007. On 26July2016, the eighteenth rotation was sent to Lebanon. The Dongmyeong Unit has been carrying out its duties since the dispatch.[3] [4] [5]
| Unit | Period | Commander | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2007.07.18–2008.01.15 | Colonel Kim Woong-geon | |
| 2nd | 2008.01.15–2008.07.18 | Colonel Kang Chan-ok | |
| 3rd | 2008.07.18–2009.01.21 | Lieutenant Colonel Lim Dae-sub | |
| 4th | 2009.01.21–2009-07.27 | Lieutenant Colonel Lee Myung-ha | |
| 5th | 2009.07.27–2010.01.21 | Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jong-chan | |
| 6th | 2010.01.21–2010.07.22 | Lieutenant Colonel Kang Jeong-deok | |
| 7th | 2010.07.22–2011.01.27 | Lieutenant Colonel Kim Hee-jun | |
| 8th | 2011.01.27–2011.07.21 | Lieutenant Colonel Park Gyeong-sik | |
| 9th | 2011.07.21–2012.01.19 | Lieutenant Colonel Lee Yoon-hoe | |
| 10th | 2012.01.19–2012.07.19 | Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jae-kyu | |
| 11th | 2012.07.19–2013.01.17 | Lieutenant Colonel Ha Jong-Shik | |
| 12th | 2013.01.17–2013.07.19 | Lieutenant Colonel Moon Byeong-kwon | |
| 13th | 2013.07.19–2014.01.10 | Lieutenant Colonel Kim Si-beom | |
| 14th | 2014.01.10–2014.07.25 | Lieutenant Colonel Choi Moon-kyu | |
| 15th | 2014.07.25–2015.01.14 | Colonel Ham Nam-kyu | |
| 16th | 2015.01.14–2015.12.05 | Colonel Lee Yoon-seok | |
| 17th | 2015.12.05–2016.07.26 | Colonel Kim Sang-sik | |
| 18th | 2016.07.26– | Colonel Yang Jeon-sub |
Unit tasks include surveillance reconnaissance operations monitoring any influx of armed forces or illegal weapons, collaborative operations with citizens for establishing a friendly operations environment, support for Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), supporting systems, and maintaining personnel or battalion protective posture. The Dongmyeong Unit falls under the western brigade of UNIFIL, and is responsible for the Tyre region. The battalion conducts a surveillance watch of the area eight times a day to successfully execute numerous operations without incident.[6]
The name of the Dongmyeong Unit (Hanja: 東明, 'the light from the east') has a symbolic meaning of "a peaceful light for Lebanon from the East."[10] The symbol of the unit consists of a Taegeuk mark and an evergreen hill as a background. The green background symbolizes green pastures and represents hope and peace. A Taegeuk mark located in middle represents peace and safety, while the Blue Hill stands for South Korea's humanitarian aid and relief activities. The slogan of the Dongmyeong Unit is 'complication of any mission as a whole!'.
The Dongmyeong Unit holds the longest record for dispatch duration among all South Korean UN Peacekeeping Forces. Although initially a poor country that required international aid in the 1950s, South Korea has developed a strong economy and now actively seeks to provide support to countries in need of help.[11]
The Dongmyeong Unit conducts a diverse range of operations. In addition to its security role, it also seeks to engage citizens in Lebanon by establishing various classes near their unit post for learning computer skills, sewing, and Taekwondo. The Dongmyeong Unit also actively supports medical care for civilians by touring five villages a week. Having treated approximately 81,816people in Lebanon, locals call the Unit a 'Gift from God' and 'Familiar Neighbor'.[12] [13]
The Dongmyeong Unit had conducted 30,576reconnaissance operations as of December2016. They identified 13vehicles that were suspected to be used in a terror operation. They have conducted 81,816medical missions. Dongmyeong Unit were involved in the welfare of Lebanon as well as providing military aid. The Unit conducted 215civic welfare projects, such as improvements of public facilities (K-Road), school facilities and sewerage facilities. They delivered computer training to the local population, along with lesson in Hangul and Taekwondo, sewing. They established libraries (K-Library) in five villages for children and teenagers.[14]
Dongmyeong Unit received excellent reviews in operational performance. Recently, they received an "excellent" rating on combined training (COMBINE-X) which was operated by the western brigade of UNIFIL.[15]
On December3,2014, 316soldiers of fifteenth rotation of Dongmyeong received the United Nations Medal. With the presentation, the forces were noted as not only being the longest dispatched Korean peacekeeping troops, but also recorded as the most frequent recipients of the UN Medal. Dongmyeong soldiers have received a total of 5,091medals over the seven-year deployment.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who visited the Dongmyeong Unit on January17,2009, said, "It is greatly contributing that your efforts and devotions for peacekeeping of Lebanon which enhance not only peace of the world but status of Republic of Korea. Tahsin Mubarak ali, the principal of the local school, said, "The generous support of the Dongmyeong Unit has restored laughter to the children who were socially and psychologically depressed. I thanks for setting up a place where kids can play freely." As recognition of their achievement, Dongmyeong Unit was evaluated as "Supreme Forces" among 39 nation's forces in Lebanon. They conferred an honorary citizenship for the first time among the Foreign Armies.