38-Hour Evacuation Operation... Government Senior Officials Welcome Returning Nationals
In Lebanon, where clashes between Israel and Hezbollah are intensifying, 97 Koreans and Lebanese family members who returned to Korea aboard a military transport plane expressed relief and gratitude to the government.
On the 5th, the Air Force KC-330 'Cygnus' transport plane landed at Seongnam Seoul Airport around 12:50 PM. The returnees who disembarked from the aircraft around 1:05 PM showed expressions of relief.
Returnee Kim Seokyung said, "It is fortunate to have safely arrived in Korea from Lebanon, where bombs fall every night," adding, "I am very grateful that the government sent a transport plane. I am proud to be a citizen of the Republic of Korea."
Lee Gukhee, who has lived in Lebanon for over four years and volunteered to help Syrian refugees, said, "Lebanon has always been a dangerous place, so we naturally respond to any incidents, but the current situation is different," conveying the seriousness of the local situation.
The expatriates said there were no dangerous moments during the evacuation, but Lee Jaeyong, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rapid Response Team, reported that he realized the severity of the situation when he saw black smoke rising at Beirut Airport. He said, "More than 30% of the evacuated expatriates were minors," adding, "There were many very young citizens among those we supported, which made the effort even more rewarding."
The repatriation operation took a total of 38 hours. Major Park Sungtae, pilot of the Cygnus, stated, "If it is an opportunity to protect the lives and property of our citizens and contribute to international peacekeeping, we will maintain readiness and capability to successfully complete the mission at any moment."
On that day, high-ranking government officials including Kim Sunho, Vice Minister of National Defense, Kang Inseon, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Youngsoo, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, welcomed the returnees at the airport. The Chief of Staff encouraged the Air Force personnel who carried out the mission.
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