▲ Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup (2nd from L) speaks with troops, who successfully completed a recent mission to evacuate South Korean nationals from war-torn Sudan, during a luncheon meeting in Seoul on April 27, 2023, in this photo released by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

defense chief-Sudan-evacuation staff

Defense minister lauds troops of Sudan evacuation mission

SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup held a luncheon meeting Thursday with the troops that successfully completed a recent mission to evacuate 28 South Korean nationals from war-ravaged Sudan, his office said.

Lee stressed that they fulfilled their "inherent" obligation to protect the lives and safety of citizens under Operation Promise, the country's rare overseas evacuation mission involving elite forces from the Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as front-line diplomats.

"I am very proud of you who have lifted the stature of the military and the country," Lee was quoted by his office as saying. "Upon the operational order, all units joined the operation in the shortest span of time and perfectly carried out the mission."

On Tuesday, the troops completed the operation with the arrival here of a KC-330 tanker transport aircraft carrying the 28 citizens.

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