Ayoub, 11, is among hundreds of young Lebanese benefiting from the martial arts know-how of South Korean troops stationed in the country as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The training has gained in popularity across villages and towns in the south of the country, even overtaking football as the South Korean soldiers try to build bridges with the local population and promote peace through sport.

“We have suffered the atrocities of war just like the Lebanese,” said Li Sang-Hyuk, one of three South Korean soldiers who volunteer their time for training and who are part of their country’s national taekwondo team.

“We have lots in common,” he adds. UNIFIL was originally created by the United Nations after Israel invaded in 1978 and later withdrew. But the peacekeeping force saw its mandate expanded in August 2006 after the devastating war between the militant group Hezbollah and Israel.

Today the force numbers some 13,000 troops from 25 countries.

The South Korean contingent of 360 soldiers is based in the village of Teirdebba, some 85 kilometers (50 miles) south of the coastal town of Tyre. The contingent is in charge of the daily operational running of UNIFIL’s military sites and also provides medical assistance to the local population. And in keeping with their country’s long tradition in martial arts, several of the soldiers also volunteer to give taekwondo lessons to local youths. “This sport helps to control the body and mind and we enjoy initiating the local population to it,” Li said.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and combat sport known for its devastating high kicks, but in which hand strikes are also permitted.

In 1955, Korean martial artists chose it as their country’s definitive martial art, and in 2000, it was recognized as an Olympic sport.

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