The Korea Herald

지나쌤

No more fighting near S. Korean base in South Sudan

By 윤민식

Published : Dec. 26, 2013 - 09:28

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No more fighting is taking place near a U.N. peacekeeping base in South Sudan where the South Korean contingent of military engineers is stationed, a day after two mortar rounds struck the base, officials in Seoul said Thursday.

The mortar attack came as South Sudan’s government troops and rebel forces clashed near the U.N. camp in the town of Bor, some 170 kilometers south of the capital Juba. The rounds struck the Nepalese camp inside the U.N. base, only 300 meters from the South Korean camp.

Some Nepalese troops were slightly wounded, but no South Korean service members were hurt.

The 280-member South Korean contingent, named the "Hanbit" unit, has been stationed in South Sudan as part of the U.N. mission in the fledgling African nation. The contingent is mostly composed of engineers and some medics.

"There is no more exchange of fire taking place outside the U.N. base, and gunshots or artillery are not heard either," an official of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. "The Habit unit is maintaining a heightened alert status and troops are either resting or preparing for duties."

The unit has banned its service members from off-base activity, the official said.

About 80 troops from South Korea’s special warfare command are guarding the unit. (Yonhap News)