Korea launches contingent for dispatch to Afghanistan

The Army launched a 320-strong unit to be dispatched to Afghanistan to protect 100 Korean civilian reconstruction workers, Tuesday.The unit, named ``Ashena'' meaning friend or colleague in the local language, will be sent to Parwan Province in July for a two-year mission.About 40 police officers will also be deployed to the terrorism-ridden Central Asian country.A motion for the unit's deployment was approved by the National Assembly last February.

The contingent will be equipped with four helicopters, armored vehicles, a mini-unmanned aerial vehicle, K11 airburst rifles, high-resolution CCTV and thermal imagers, Army officials said. Deploying portable explosive detectors and robot systems is also under consideration, they said.................................Read More

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