Korean troops stationed in Iraq, called Zaytun Unit, have been participating in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. In a recent interview with Korea Policy Review, Commander of the Korean troops Jung Seung-jo voiced his opinions on military activities performed by Korean soldiers in Iraq

Q: Would you give us some background to the Korean Zaytun division in Iraq?

A: The Zaytun division is stationed in Irbil Province in the north-eastern region of Iraq. We have constructed a camp, which covers an area of 830 acres, from where the 3,200 troops of the Zaytun division support the peace and reconstruction of Iraq. The distance between Camp Zaytun in Iraq and Korea is approximately 8,400km. Our troops were deployed with all the necessary equipment to be self sufficient. Despite the scorching sun and sandstorms, we constructed Camp Zaytun in a location where previously there was nothing but barren land. This is the first miracle of the Zaytun.

Since its deployment, around ten thousand troops have served as members of the Zaytun division. All of them have safely returned to their homes, successfully completing their mission of supporting peace and the reconstruction of Iraq. Through the devoted efforts of our servicemen and women, the Zaytun division has set an exemplary model of Civil Military Operations to the other 30 coalition nations stationed in Iraq. This is the second miracle of the Zaytun. The people of Iraq suffered for a long time under the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein and the insurgency has delayed the advance of democracy throughout the nation. Despite the fact that Iraq possesses the second largest reserves of oil in the world, its people cannot even light up oil heaters in the winter time.

The mission of the Zaytun division is to ensure the peace and help in the reconstruction for the people of Iraq by providing a force for economic development and by supporting the establishment of a democratic government that realizes the basic rights of its people. All the men and women of the Zaytun division see themselves as a ¡°representative of the Republic of Korea¡± and spare no effort to achieve the third miracle of the Zaytun, which serves for peace and the reconstruction of Iraq.

Q: Some soldiers of the Zaytun division have converted to Islam. What difference did it make to your operations and how important do you think it is to understand the local culture and religion?

A: Before the first troops of the Zaytun division deployed to Irbil, 24 soldiers converted to Islam in Korea and began their religious practice. Currently, these soldiers have all returned to Korea and only a few Muslims remain. However, we have built an Islamic Mosque at the Religion Center inside our camp, to ensure and promote the beliefs of Islam. This was just one of our activities which aims to bridge the gap with the local people, their culture, and their belief.

The Zaytun division continues to pursue activities that help us understand the customs and culture of the local people and come a step closer to their lives. We have described these activities as the ¡°We are friends¡± campaign. There are around 350 local people working inside our camp as interpreters and instructors at our Vocational Training Center. And also there are around 3,500 local laborers that work at our reconstruction sites. All these local employees are allowed to break for their prayers five times a day. They are allowed to leave early during the Ramadan period to practice their religion, and are given days off on all the local religious holidays.

All our activities are conducted with the basic principle of ¡°respect and consideration¡± towards the local people. We have shown our respect to local customs and culture by sending letters of congratulation and gifts to regional leaders and officials on the occasion of the completion of Ramadan, New Year¡¯s Day, and other national religious holidays. Through our consideration and efforts, we have become true friends of the local populace.

By not forcing our culture and standards, and rather by understanding the custom and norms of the local community, we have formed an image of our unit, not as a foreign occupation force, but as a supporting ally. This was the foundation that ensured the safe and successful accomplishment of the Zaytun division¡¯s mission.

Q: The Zaytun division has been praised for its peaceful, supporting role, such as the teaching of illiterates. Please tell more about your activities. And tell us about other reconstruction plans for the future.

A: Iraq, where the Zaytun division is stationed, had not only been deprived of essential social infrastructure due to continuous war, but its people have suffered under a brutal tyranny. To heal these wounds and plant a seed of new hope, the Zaytun division has categorized its Civil Military Operations in four areas; Iraqi Security Force support, humanitarian assistance, social economic development support, and friendship building activities. Iraqi Security Forces support is considered the prerequisite for all our other activities. Only when the security of the region is guaranteed could we carry out other operations.

Therefore, we constructed new security facilities, handed-over security materials and barriers, and supported the training of Iraqi police and military forces to maintain the relative stability of the region. As part of our humanitarian assistance activities, we have opened the Zaytun hospital and treated up to 25,000 local patients, provided literacy education, provided essential necessities to the local needy, and conducted the Green Angel Operation to help realize long cherished projects of the local people. These activities have given the people new hope.

Our efforts were also put to restoring the damaged infrastructure of the region. We have paved roads, repaired water services and sewage pipelines, constructed 20 schools, one handicapped rehabilitation center, one vocational school, nine health centers where seven have attached living quarters for doctors, and have drilled 32 new deep wells in the region. The division has also opened a vocational training center to teach modern techniques and skills to the local people. We have conducted various other activities to support the social and economic development of the local community.

Through our friendship building activities, the Zaytun division has built an image of the unit as a member and friend of the community, rather than a foreign military force. This created the atmosphere for us to conduct other civil military activities. I truly believe the endeavors of the Zaytun have helped the flower of peace and reconstruction to bloom in this harsh land. The civil military efforts of the Zaytun will continue until the flower that has blossomed bears fruits that can be harvested, and which in turn will also be connected with our own national interest.

Q: What do you remember as the most rewarding part of your service in Iraq? And what things are still needed?

A: The most rewarding time for a commander is when his subordinates, men and women, successfully accomplish their mission without any loss of service members. And when these dedicated efforts produce tangible results through the civil military and reconstruction activities, it is a tremendous experience that cannot be described by words alone. By contributing to regional security, we ensured the successful holding of the constitutional referendum and national election in Iraq which have enabled the establishment of a democratic government. Through our humanitarian assistance and social economic development support activities, the Republic of Korea has become an everlasting friend to the Iraqi people and is seen as a pivotal partner in their nation building process.

Our endeavors have been realized and extolled both by the local leadership and the commanders of the coalition forces. The Kurdish Regional President Massoud Barzani said, ¡°There is a saying that goes, the Kurds have no friends but the mountains. But now we have a new friend, the Koreans.¡±

The commander of the U.S. Central Command, General John Abizaid, saluted our troops after receiving an update on our activities, and appreciated the efforts of our men and women by saying, ¡°I am paying my respects to the outstanding effort that the Korean Contingent is making in Iraq.¡± The previous commander of the Multi-National Corps in Iraq, Lieutenant General Vines, also mentioned several times during coalition conferences that the Zaytun division has accomplished the objectives of the coalition and is providing a model of Civil Military Operations to the coalition forces.

We believe our activities are heightening the profile of our national image and contributing to enhance our national interest. I was also deeply moved when a delegation from Korea came and said, ¡°We came here to encourage the Zaytun troops. But I think we have been more encouraged by our visit and seeing the activities of the Zaytun.¡± And I remember the thank-you cards sent by mothers or fathers of my soldiers.

These moments will always be cherished. However, in spite the successful activities the division, Iraq still has a long way to go. Iraq is now preparing to make its grand first step towards a new future. The Regional President Barzani said, ¡°I hope various private Korean companies come to Iraq. And when they come, I will guarantee them privileges for their investment.¡± The Zaytun division will continue with our given mission with the hope that one day the wishes of the local people will be fulfilled.

Q: How are you prepared for possible terrorist attacks?And how are you cooperating with troops from other countries?

A: There is an average of 500 to 550 terrorist attacks in Iraq on a weekly basis. But the region where the Zaytun division is stationed has not sustained a single terrorist attack since June 20, 2005. It is enjoying a relatively stable environment compared with other regions of Iraq.

However, the past incidents, such as the rocket attack targeting our compound on May 29 last year, and the suicide vehicle attack against the local traffic police station on June 20, we cannot deny there still remains a possibility of terrorist attacks in the region. Therefore, the Zaytun division has always considered the safety of its troops and the Korean civilians in Iraq as its highest priority. We have established a force protection system that flexibly adapts to the threat environment. We are closely abiding by our strict operational procedures during out-of-camp operations, and are constantly preparing for terrorist attacks by conducting situational training exercises on a regular basis.

In addition, we maintain close coordination relationships not only with the local Iraqi security forces, but also with the Multi-National Force & Corps in Iraq and the overall coalition. We have established intelligence sharing systems with these agencies and constantly reevaluate our threat and force protection conditions based on the data that is acquired to counter any threat against our troops. These efforts will continue until all servicemen and women of the Zaytun division return back to their beloved families.


Q: What role can Korea play in bringing peace to Iraq, especially in the civilian sector?

A: As I mentioned above, the goal of the Zaytun division is to support the peace and reconstruction activities in Iraq. Since its deployment, the Zaytun division has strived to provide new hope for the people in the north-eastern region of Iraq, enabling them to overcome their past difficulties. The goal of the Zaytun division will remain the same in the year 2006. Under firm force protection measures, the Zaytun division will continue to conduct object-oriented Civil Military Operations that fulfill the needs of the local people. All men and women of the Zaytun division will do their utmost for the peace and reconstruction of Iraq with pride and dignity.

We hope to be ¡°true and everlasting friends¡± of the Iraqi people and advance the cause of peace and democracy in Iraq. We also wish that our efforts will raise the image of our country, providing a bridge for our private sector to advance into the Middle East region and eventually enhance our national interest.
I sincerely ask for the continuous support and devotion of the Korean people toward the activities of the Zaytun division to help us shine a new light of hope in the lands of Iraq.

Source: Korea Policy Review February 2006