Zaytun Division

The Republic of Korea dispatched a small contingent of soldiers to participate in the multi-national forces in Iraq in 2002. The United States government asked South Koreans to send more to contribute to reconstruction in the war-torn country in September, 2003. Upon request, Seoul founded a full division of 8,000 soldiers and named it as Zaytun Division, stressing peace-keeping character of the troops. Zaytun means olive in Arabic. Due to domestic opposition, the government reduced the size of the troops to 2,800 soldiers. At present, it may be called as Zaytun Unit. Led by Major General Hwang Eui-don, they were dispatched to Arbil, Kurdish Autonomous Region in Northern Iraq on August, 2004.

Arab terrorists threatens South Korea, demanding to retreat the troops from Iraq. However, US Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, visited Arbil to encourage the Korean troops on October 10, 2004. On his way home from Paris, President Roh Moo-hyun made a surprise visit to Zaytun Division in Arbil on December 8.

Another 800 soldiers were dispatched to reinforce the existing troops in Arbil at the end of 2004. South Korea now maintains the third largest foreign troops in Iraq, following the US and British.

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