SKorean troops train ahead of Iraq deployment

Описание: (13 Mar 2004) SHOTLIST

1. Wide shot of mock setting of the Kirkuk checkpoint in the special force training field in Kwangju
2. Check point post with South Korean flag
3. Tilt up from a sign to an armed South Korean soldier
4. Various shots of mock training
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt. Colonel Lim, Battalion commander:
"We are exercising for adaptation to Iraqi weather and circumstances. So, we are proceeding the force protection."
6. Various of soldiers learning Arabic
7. Various of soldiers demonstrating Taekwondo, Korean martial art
8. SOUNDBITE (Korean) A female soldier who will be dispatched to Iraq in April - no name given
"We are learning culture and customs of Iraq and are trying to respect their way."
9. Soldiers practicing guard
10. Helicopter flying overhead
11. Various of parachute jumping

STORYLINE:

South Korean soldiers began training exercises in Iraq on Friday near Kirkuk where they are scheduled to be dispatched in April.

Battalion commander, Lt. Colonel Lim, said that the exercises are meant to help soldiers acclimate to the Iraqi weather and conditions.

Soldiers received training on how to search people and cars at checkpoints and how to react to potential emergency situations, such as cars slamming into barriers.

The training was set up at the special force training field in Kwangju, Kyuhggi province.

Afterwards, the soldiers practiced basic physical exercise and demonstrated Korean martial arts, Taekwondo.

Soldiers have also been taking Arabic lessons.

The dispatch plan would make South Korea the third-largest contributor to coalition forces in Iraq after the United States and Britain.

Seoul already has 465 military medics and engineers in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.

The new forces are to be sent to the northern Iraqi oil town of Kirkuk before the end of April.

However, the South Korean media has reported that the date for the dispatch may be delayed as the US has announced that it may keep some of their own troops with South Korean troops in Kirkuk.

The new deployment will be solely responsible for security and reconstruction around Kirkuk.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...