The Army held a send-off ceremony on Friday for a 240-strong peace-keeping contingent, which will replace the first batch of Korean troops operating in Haiti to help rebuild the earthquake-ravaged country.

The contingent, named “Danbi unit,” will be sent early next week to Leogane, one of the Haitian regions hard hit by the earthquake in January. Danbi means “long-awaited rain.”

Some 1,000 people, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hwang Eui-don, attended the ceremony to encourage the troops, which will operate as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Caribbean state.

“The South Korean contingent, which was deployed there in March, is now being called ‘the hope of Leogane’ as it has successfully carried out its work including restoring roads and buildings, and offering medical support,” said Hwang during the ceremony at the International Peace Supporting Standby Force in Incheon.

“I hope that it can plant seeds of hope in the region with pride in your mind as a representative of the country.”

The soldiers were selected following a fierce competition process, with around eight individuals vying for each seat. Since July 26, they had received a five-week training session for the overseas operations.

Currently, 240 soldiers and service members consisting mainly of mechanics and operations support staff are working there. They are scheduled to return to Korea in early September.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)