With President Roh Moo-hyun soon to leave office, it appears the ROK military thinks they are back in business again:
The Ministry of Defense is planning to establish a body to be in charge, with the nation’s participation, of the U.N.-led peacekeeping operations (PKO).
A ministry official noted that, as a responsible member of the international community, South Korea will increase its participation in the world’s peacekeeping efforts.
The official went on to say that the task force for peace and cooperation under the ministry’s international relations office will be upgraded to the international peace and cooperation team.
Last week, the ministry reported to President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s transition committee that it was mulling to enact related regulation and set aside a thousand-member PKO unit to dispatch when the world body asks for help. [KBS Global]
I like this idea because the ROK military is large, well equipped, and adequately trained to conduct peacekeeping missions. For people who have interacted with UN peacekeepers they can tell you that UN peacekeepers are largely a joke and in it for the money thus the reason why third world nations comprise the majority of UN peacekeepers.
Popularity: 2%
4:31 pm on February 12th, 2008 1
Peace Keeping Operation unit? Rather its going to be “Stay Alive and don’t do anything to create any combat situation with local military forces” unit. And don’t forget to pick up the check from UN.
4:48 pm on February 12th, 2008 2
CPT Kim,
I’m hoping with stronger national leadership from Lee Myung-bak that the ROK military can bring some competent forces into UN Peacekeeping missions. The ROK military is highly capable and able to accomplish such missions but there is little political will to allow the military to be relevant.
6:34 pm on February 12th, 2008 3
6:48 pm on February 12th, 2008 4
Like GI Korea, I too wish the United Nations to no longer be a joke. The Koreans are professionals and will help legitimize the United Nations.
Like GI Korea, I too long to see all nations become states in a world-wide federation. I applaud GI Korea. Your switch of loyalty to the United Nations is to be commended. National sovereignty is so pre-historic in the age of globalism.
4:05 am on March 14th, 2008 5
[...] major disaster such as the Asian Tsunami were to happen again. Korea is also interested in expanding their peacekeeping operations which could be another area to expand the alliance by conducting joint peacekeeping operations with [...]