Korea to launch 3,000-strong peacekeeping unit in 2010

Korea plans to launch a 3,000-strong military unit next year that can be readily deployed overseas for peacekeeping operations, a defense official said Sunday, according to Yonhap News.

The unit will consist of a dedicated 1,000-strong special forces unit from the country`s Special Warfare Command, along with additional troops who can be deployed as back-ups.

Air force, navy and engineering troops will also serve as support elements, the official said on customary condition of anonymity.

The defense ministry is seeking a law revision to enable the prompt global deployment of Korean soldiers for peacekeeping purposes at the request of the United Nations.

Troops are hastily recruited from different units of the military under the current system, a time-consuming process that also causes administrative problems, ministry officials say.

The plan comes as Korea has moved to increase its role in multinational and U.N. security operations.

Hundreds of Korean soldiers are serving in such places as Lebanon, where 360 troops have been deployed since 2007.