Hanbit Unit Supports South Sudan with Quarantine Supplies

Hanbit Unit security troops are conducting QRF (quick reaction force) dispatch training on the 6th (local time) within the Bor Gidi compound in South Sudan. (Photo by South Sudan Joint Press Corps)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The military has decided to support emergency medical supplies for COVID-19 prevention.

According to the military on the 1st, the 12th rotation 2nd unit (122 personnel) of the Hanbit Unit deployed to South Sudan will depart this afternoon. The entire 12th rotation (271 personnel) of the Hanbit Unit will carry out their deployment mission in South Sudan. The 1st unit was deployed on the 18th of last month. The 11th rotation personnel who remained for base security and management will return on a chartered flight.

The 12th rotation of the Hanbit Unit has conducted two PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests in preparation for the COVID-19 situation, all of which tested negative, and has undergone over five weeks of quarantine until departure, secured protective equipment such as masks and protective suits, and conducted drills for emergency response, thoroughly preparing for deployment.

Additionally, the Ministry of National Defense accepted South Sudan government's request for emergency medical supplies for COVID-19 prevention, including Korean-made diagnostic kits. As part of the civil support project, humanitarian medical supplies being provided include 100 sets (10,000 units) of diagnostic kits and 20,000 masks. The 12th rotation 2nd unit will send these via a departing chartered flight. As of the 28th of last month, South Sudan had 806 confirmed cases, including many cabinet members such as the Vice President and Minister of National Defense, and 8 deaths. The positive rate among those tested exceeds 50%, but due to a shortage of testing equipment, only 100 to 200 tests are conducted daily.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs plans to provide 25,000 KF94 masks to overseas independence activists and their families. The support targets 500 people residing in 15 countries including the United States, notably including five surviving patriots overseas such as Mr. Na Seong-don (96), who enlisted in the 3rd Brigade of the Liberation Army and worked as an underground operative in the China area. Previously, the Ministry supported over 150 descendants of independence activists residing in China with masks and hand sanitizers in February, and last month also provided masks to UN veterans from 22 countries and Navajo veterans in the United States.