President Lee Encourages Aegis Unit Troops: "You Are Military and Security Diplomats"

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is speaking at an event to encourage the troops of the Aegis Unit held at a hotel in Abu Dhabi on the 19th. To his right is First Lady Kim Hye-kyung. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On November 19 (local time), President Lee Jae-myung, during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), met with the troops of the Aegis Unit and encouraged them by saying, "You are military and security diplomats."

President Lee, together with First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, invited 50 members of the Aegis Unit to Abu Dhabi and hosted an event to encourage them, making these remarks. The Aegis Unit was dispatched to the UAE in January 2011 to provide special forces training and conduct joint exercises. This is the first time President Lee has visited and encouraged Korean troops stationed abroad.

President Lee emphasized, "The UAE is not just a place for you to serve out your military duty," adding, "You are here, far from home, not only safeguarding peace in the world and the Middle East and enhancing the dignity of the Republic of Korea, but also protecting the lives and safety of our people, which is an extremely important mission."

He continued, "I am deeply grateful that you are carrying out your assigned duties so honorably. The Korean people will not forget your sacrifices."

Attendees at the event included Colonel Lim Jikyung, the commander of the Aegis Unit; Navy Major Lee Junghyun, who has been deployed overseas five times, including three times with the Cheonghae Unit; Corporal Jeon Seongmin, who postponed his discharge date to fulfill his deployment mission; and Master Sergeant Kim Okkyung, a mother of three whose husband is also a soldier.

Colonel Lim, representing the Aegis Unit, told President Lee, "We serve with pride, knowing that we play a significant role not only in military cooperation but also in the development of the defense industry in the Middle East," and added, "Each of us will carry out our duties with the sense of mission as military diplomats."

Meanwhile, the Office of the President announced that presidential desk clocks were given as gifts to all members of the Aegis Unit, including those who were unable to attend the event.