Despite the international and domestic disputes, it has already been 4 years since the ROK deployment in Iraq. Today, the Zaitun Unit is successfully carrying out mission in Arbil (아르빌), under the praise of the locals and multinational forces.
Following the request of the U.S., our government has deliberately reviewed deploying forces in Iraq in multiple angles. The main purpose of our deployment was to contribute to the peace and stability in Iraq and the Middle East, further develop the ROK-U.S alliance into a more profound relationship, and improve our national status and image on peace. Additional deployments were pursued under the consideration of the public opinion, reports of site survey groups, and characteristics and capabilities of the ROK military. Until now, the deployment has been annually extended with the approval of the National Assembly.
To summarize the achievements of the deployment, first, we are providing a model for the most successful civil operations. Second, this has become an opportunity to strengthen Korea's global image in areas such as politics, diplomacy, military, and economy. Lastly, our forces were able to gain experience in stability operations, advance our airlift operation capabilities in foreign warfare, and improve our mission execution capabilities such as forming and managing an analysis team for lessons of war.
The encouragement and confidence of our people and the endless interest and support of our military and government are the main reasons behind the success of our contingent in Iraq. There are more tasks to develop in order to expand on such achievements. First, the conditions for the termination of deployment should be promptly reviewed and a roadmap for future deployment must be drawn up. Secondly, further review should be carried out on regulations and policies regarding foreign deployment. An image of a powerful military through foreign deployment should be recognized internationally and domestically. Lastly, the public should be more aware and informed of the achievements made through the deployment in Iraq.
Peace Keeping Organizations should become more involved so that the prosperity of world peace and security on the Korean peninsula have a synergy effect on one another, and Korea develops its national brand as a peace-loving nation.