Timor-Leste: UN honours four Korean peacekeepers killed in river accident

The United Nations today honoured four peacekeepers from the Republic of Korea who died in a river accident last week in Timor-Leste.

"Some of the most young, enthusiastic and dedicated youth, the people who make the reputation of this Mission, have been taken from us," Kamalesh Sharma, head of the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), said during a memorial service in Dili for the four soldiers. "For all of us here, their memory shall be imperishable."

The service was for Maj. Byong Jo Min, Maj. Jin Kyu Park, Cpl. Jong Hun Back and Cpl. Hee Choi, who were among the five Korean peacekeepers who died in Oecussi on 6 March when they were swept away by a swift-moving river.

The incident occurred when a vehicle with two of the Korean soldiers on board got stuck crossing the river. Three other soldiers from another vehicle tried to help them, but the strong current carried away all five. The search continues for the fifth member of the patrol, Cpl. Kim Jung Joung.