The commander and two other officers of South Korea's peacekeeping unit in Lebanon have been relieved of duty and ordered to return home amid a probe over suspected embezzlement and other irregularities, military sources said Thursday.
  
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) made the decision after holding a deliberation session earlier in the day on corruption allegations against the Army colonel heading the Dongmyeong Unit and three other officers.
  
The 300-strong Dongmyeong Unit has been operating as part of the UN Interim Force in the conflict-laden country since 2007. It is South Korea's longest-serving military unit abroad.
  
They are suspected of misappropriating public funds and pocketing supplies for personal use. The commanding officer is also suspected of holding an overnight drinking session with subordinates despite COVID-19.
  
The defense ministry and the JCS dispatched officials to Lebanon for an onsite inspection late last month and confirmed some of the allegations, the ministry said earlier.
  
The colonel is reportedly denying all the allegations against him.
  
Upon returning home, they will undergo an additional probe, which will decide whether they will face disciplinary actions or prosecution.  (Yonhap)