Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The military aircraft landed at a nearby US base due to the closure of the airport in the capital city

President Yoon instructed quick and safe evacuation measures

A total of 28 people including embassy staff gathered at the embassy

The Cheonghae Unit was also dispatched to deal with contingencies

P1) A military aircraft and troops arrive at a US military base in Djibouti on April 22 (local time) to support the evacuation of Koreans residing in Sudan, North Africa. The photo shows the take-off of a C-130J transport plane from the Fifth Air Mobility Wing on April 21. Provided by the Defense Ministry

On April 22 (local time) the South Korean aircraft and troops arrived at a US military base in Djibouti near Sudan to support the safe evacuation of Koreans residing in Sudan, where an armed conflict occurred. The Cheonghae Unit was also dispatched to deal with local contingencies.

A C-130J plane and a military support team comprising 50 members including soldiers on the ROK Special Warfare Command, Air Force Combat Control Team (CCT), pilots, maintenance, medical and guard personnel left Gimhae Air Base at 5:00 p.m. on April 21 and performed the mission of the safe evacuation of Koreans residents. They landed at a US military base in Djibouti due to the closure of Khartoum International Airport as the conflict continued.

This operation took place after President Yoon Suk-yeol was briefed by the Office of National Security on the possible deterioration of the situation between government troops and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan on April 21. President Yoon emphasized the safety of Koreans overseas and ordered multilateral measures. He said, “place a top priority on the safety of our people overseas,” and urged related ministries including the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take quick measures such as the dispatch of military transport aircraft.

On April 22, President Yoon was briefed on the results of a situation assessment meeting by related institutions hosted by the second deputy director of the Office of National Security to ensure the safety of Koreans in Sudan and instructed the emergency dispatch of the Cheonghae Unit in Port of Salalah, Oman to the coast near Sudan. The Office of National Security called an emergency meeting of related ministries and launched a round-the-clock pan-governmental response system led by it and monitored the local situation and implemented related measures.

In Sudan, an on-site task force was set up. The task force was composed of representatives from related ministries, the staff from Korean embassies near Sudan, and the Rapid Response Team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The task force established a cooperation system with allies in Djibouti and carried out the mission of protecting Korean residents, working together with the Korean Embassy in Sudan.

On April 23, 28 people in Sudan (including embassy staff) gathered safely in the Korean Embassy in the capital city of Khartoum, Sudan. The Korean residents were initially estimated at 29, but a Korean with Sudan nationality did not come to the embassy.

Meanwhile, the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary RSF, which had been engaged in armed confrontations since April 15, declared a 72-hour truce from April 21 to 23 to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The fighting has led to over 400 deaths and about 4,000 injuries according to the World Health Organization.

 By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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