The Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin was on a five-day trip to Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, which embarked on Feb. 7 with an aim to encourage Korean troops and provincial reconstruction team (PRT) who are stationed there for peacekeeping activities, according to the Defense Ministry on Feb. 9.
It is Kim's first official overseas trip since he was inaugurated last December.
The ministry said that Kim inspected bases where "Ashena Unit" and PRT are stationed in the morning on Feb. 8 and examined security and safety conditions. Followed by the inspection, Kim encouraged Korean troops. Some 340 troops are operating to protect PRT to help rebuild the war-torn country.
Ashena means "friend" in the country's local language.
In the afternoon, Kim had talks with U.S. Gen. David Howell Petraeus, the commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and Abdul Rahim Wardak, Defense Minister of Afghanistan to discuss current situation in the local region and direction of mission performance.
During talks with Wardak, Kim asked for Afghanistan's support and cooperation for Ashena Unit.
As construction of unit's base ended on Jan. 24, Korean troops have moved from U.S. Bagram base to Charika base and it is preparing for its full-scale mission.
On Feb. 9, Kim headed for the UAE to meet some 130 Korean troops there.
In the UAE, Kim paid a courtesy visit to HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supremem Commander of the United Emirates Armed Forces, and Lt. Gen. Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. They discussed measures to boost bilateral military exchanges and enhance cooperaton in the defense industry.
In addition, Kim expressed his gratitude for the support of military operation to capture pirates and save sailors of hijacked Korean commercial ship last month.
Kim visited Korean contingent named "Akh Unit," which was dispatched to the UAE last month for a two-year mission to help train the UAE special forces, and inspect the base as well as encourage troops.
"Kim's oversea trips will be an good opportunity to not only boost morale of Korean troops stationed overseas but also expand military exchanges with the UAE and Afghanistan," said a defense official in Seoul.
South Korea MoND
