Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The Hanbit unit, South Sudan reconstruction support team, held an opening ceremony on August 26, local time, for completing the White Nile bank, which will protect 200,000 people of Bor city from habitual flooding.

The ceremony was attended by Hanbit unit’s soldiers, relevant UN officials, Governor of Jonglei, John Kong Nyuon, and approximately 1,100 local residents. The governor delivered a letter of appreciation to the Korean government, Minister of National Defense, president of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other key personnel who participated in the construction, saying that thanks to the completion of the bank, the community has been regaining stability and peace and welcoming back refugees who left their home to avoid the civil war. And he also conferred an honorary citizenship of Bor to Colonel Park Won-dae, the commander of Hanbit unit.

The completed White Nile bank has a size of 17 km in length, 4-6 km in width and 3-4 m in height. Constructed 1 meter higher than the expected overflow level, it can prepare for much more flow. It can also block off water leakage as the bank was securely hardened. Although the White Nile is a major livelihood and main source of drinking water for Bor citizens, it causes many problems for local residents with habitual overflow over most of the city during the wet season from April to November every year.

The reconstruction work started in June of last year, led by the Engineer corps, and various heavy equipment the unit possessed such as excavator, dozer, grader, dump truck, roller, etc., was mobilized. The unit hurried to finish the work in the face of scorching heat and sandy dust, even spending their holidays, before the wet season arrived. Moreover, it ran parallel to medical support for around 2,500 local residents from 10 villages.

“As this bank has been completed, Bor citizens don’t have to move other places to avoid the White Nile’s flooding anymore and have circumstances to activate housing and road construction within the region as well,” said Commander Park.

The unit will start repair work on the length of 116 km part of the 197 km road connecting Bor city and Juba, the capital city, as well perform as repair work for the runway of Bor airport and Rwaldit elementary school construction.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim droid001@dema.mil.kr

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