Team leaves for Haiti to research plan to send force

A Korean joint research and investigation team composed of nine officials from the foreign and defense ministries and the Joint Chiefs of Staff yesterday headed to earthquake-ravaged Haiti to survey the local area before dispatching a Korean peacekeeping force.

“We are going to discuss a plan to send military personnel for peacekeeping operations in detail with senior officials at Haiti’s government and the United Nations Stabilization Mission Force in the country,” said Shin Dong-ik, director general at the foreign ministry’s international organizations bureau. Shin is leading the delegation.

“The team will also survey candidate locations where Korean forces can be deployed,” Shin said.

The Korean military is considering three locations, including Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, and Jacmel, a port city some 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the capital.

Based on the survey results, the Korean government is planning to finalize a plan during a cabinet meeting scheduled next Tuesday to send some 220 military engineering personnel. It will also try to get the National Assembly’s approval.

The research team will carry out will its work starting today and return to Korea next Thursday.

By Lee Min-yong [smartpower@joongang.co.kr]