A sense of pride and accomplishment took hold and gestures of gratitude were traded as Korea marked the official closure of its regional reconstruction task in Afghanistan on Monday.
Some 200 government and military officials of Korea, Afghanistan and NATO’s U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force took part in a ceremony at the Bagram Airfield to commemorate four years of work by the Korean Provincial Reconstruction Team in the central province of Parwan and the outside support behind its mission.
The withdrawal is in line with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s plans to pull out the ISAF from the country by the end of the year. Korea was one of the last countries to run a PRT there, along with Turkey.
Though the PRT’s mission was formally over, dozens of aid workers and medical personnel will remain to continue operating a hospital and vocational training center in the base, officials said.
“Korea is the only country working in Parwan so it is the only country that had an impact here in this province for these people,” said Karen Decker, senior civilian representative to the coalition’s Regional Command-East.
“What makes Korea special and wonderful is the fact that it is finishing its PRT mission very honorably but it is continuing the hospital and training center.”
Parwan Province Gov. Abdul Basir Salangi said, “All the work and achievements of Korean PRT will remain in the hearts of every Parwani and Afghani.”
The PRT initiated its activities in by building a Charikar base in 2010, which was handed over to the Afghan government two years later.
With four pillars of health, education, rural development and governance, it has built and run schools and training centers for police and youth, hospitals, bridges and farms, while advising municipal authorities on a regular basis.
In total, more than 500 civilian workers participated in reconstruction projects over four years. Seoul has also dispatched about 2,000 troops in six installments to protect them, called Ashena unit.
“Unlike other countries’ reconstruction activities mainly led by the military, we have been focusing on sharing our development experience,” Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Kyung-soo said in a speech at the ceremony.
"... It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."....I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH KOREA OFFICIALLY LEAVES AFGHANISTAN AFTER PARTICIPATING ITS MISSION OF HUMANITAREAN OUTREACH AS THE USA HAD PLANS OF LEAVING THE EMBATTLED COUNTRY TO ALQUEDA THE SAME AS WHAT THE POTUS BHO HAS DONE WITH THE LIKE OF JIMMY CARTER WITH IRAN NOW HAPPENING WITH IRAQ AND SOON AFGHANISTAN IN ONLY 6 YEARS THIS LEFTIST LIBERAL HAS HANDED OVER HARD ONE FOUGHT IN GAINS IN THE MIDDLE EAST FORIEG POLOCY WITH AMERICANS SACRIFICING ALL FOR NAUGHT AS THE CUT AND RUN POTUS LEBIRAL DOES WHT HE DOES BEST DUCK AND RUN AWAY FROM FREE LOVING SONS OF ABRAHAM
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