Godspeed Zayitun, wherever you are

While there have been public send-offs for the Korean Olympians and the 2ID soldiers going to Iraq, the South Korean 'Zayitun' unit is now quietly deploying to Iraq.

Despite harassement from some protesters, the members of the all-volunteer force are eager for their deployment. In fact, 500 members of the unit have asked to have their terms of service lengthened so they could go:

"There are some 550 members of the total 3,600 who are scheduled to be discharged in the coming months," said Lt. Col. Kang Deog-chan, an army spokesman. "Most of them want to go to Iraq despite the somewhat delayed dispatch by extending their draft term."

South Korea's Iraq-bound "Zayitun" unit, which includes highly trained elite forces and Arabic translators, have had their departure repeatedly delayed because of the worsening security conditions in Iraq.

Kang said that only about 50 soldiers out of the 550 on the discharge list decided not to go to Iraq because of personal reasons such as attending college.

In a marked contrast to last week's ceremony for the 2ID troops going to Iraq, the Zayitun unit's departure ceremony was closed to the public. The Chosun Ilbo called it right when they took Roh to task for acting like the deployment was something to be ashamed of:

If the government keeps the departure of the Zayitun Unit closed to the public as much as possible for fear of controversies over the troop dispatch at home, it's an act of crudity disparaging the justification of the troop dispatch, Had the government taken a dignified stance in the face of controversies, it would have been able to boost the morale of the troops and win public approval. Has the government fathomed the sentiments of the troops even once who have to go to the front line as if escaping from public eye, let alone being encouraged by the people?

While I can see the point of keeping transit information secret, closing the departure ceremony to the public is just wrong. At a minimum, there should have been press coverage of the ceremony. They should have had a chance to receive their proper honors before the Korean people. Shame on Roh for sending those brave volunteers out like thieves in the night.

I hope the Korean government will at least give them a proper, public welcome after they complete their mission and come home.

Godspeed Zayitun.

PS, the Korean government has hired about 60 local militiamen to protect Korean civilians in the area.

Comments

[zecks]

Roh is trying his best to dismantle the military at the behest of the Dear Leader