Media Room: Media Releases

REPUBLIC OF KOREA JOINS ISAF as A NON NATO CONTRIBUTING NATION

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, today acknowledged that the NATO Secretary General has formally welcomed the Republic of Korea (ROK) as the 46^th contributor to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

Following an offer by the South Korean Government in November 2009 to deploy a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to Parwan province, the relevant certification processes have been completed and the ROK has been officially recognised as a non‑NATO ISAF Contributing Nation.

“Australia is committed to the NATO-led ISAF mission to stabilise Afghanistan, with around 1550 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed there,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“We warmly welcome the Republic of Korea as a non-NATO ISAF Contributing Nation and look forward to assisting the ROK PRT prepare for its deployment.

“The ROK team will comprise 50-70 civilians, 30-50 police officers and 200-400 infantry troops. The troops will be tasked with protection of the PRT and will not play a combat role.”

Australia is the largest non-NATO contributor to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Our military contribution is part of a Whole-of-Government effort to deny Afghanistan as a training ground and operating base for global terrorist organisations; stabilise the nation through a combination of military, police and civilian efforts; and train the Afghan National Security Forces to a level where they can take security responsibility for Oruzgan Province themselves.

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664