Lebanon Dispatch Dongmyeong Unit Surpasses 130,000 in Civilian Medical Support

The Dongmyeong Unit, deployed in Lebanon in the Middle East and carrying out missions as part of the UN, achieved a record of providing medical support to over 130,000 civilians, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 11th.

Since its deployment in Lebanon in 2007, the Dongmyeong Unit has continued to provide medical support to civilians. Due to the conditions in the conflict-affected areas, the local medical system is almost paralyzed, making even basic medical treatment difficult.

The medical team responsible for supporting local residents within the Dongmyeong Unit consists of internal medicine, dental, plastic surgery, and veterinary medical personnel. They provide a "visiting medical support" service by touring five villages within the operational area twice a week, checking the health status of about 30 people daily and offering customized treatment to patients.

In particular, the dental bus operated by the unit is the only mobile dental clinic with mobility within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It offers essential treatments such as cavity and gum disease care, scaling, and tooth extraction, receiving great appreciation from the residents.

Rokaya Fakih (58), the 130,000th recipient of the visiting medical support service, said, "They always greet patients kindly and explain health conditions in detail, which has been a great help. Free medical support is such a huge gift for us who cannot properly visit hospitals."

Colonel Yoo Jun-geun, commander of the Dongmyeong Unit, said, "Our troops feel great fulfillment in carrying out their mission by providing practical help to local residents who lack medical infrastructure," adding, "We will work even harder to provide medical support so that the Republic of Korea Armed Forces can be felt as a reliable and true friend."

Meanwhile, since 2007, the Dongmyeong Unit has contributed to peace in the Middle East by monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in the southern region of Lebanon.