Lieutenant Darren Young - Korea

"Deploying provided me with a challenge, and completely new activities every day. I loved every single day of my deployment."

A deployment to Korea earlier this year provided self-employed Aucklander Darren Young with several opportunities.

"I was looking for something different to do, and something to extend myself. Deploying provided me with a challenge, and completely new activities every day. I loved every single day of my deployment."

As Lieutenant Darren Young, the Auckland Northland Regiment officer deployed to the United Nations Command Military Armistice (UNCMAC) mission in September 2006. His role was assistant corridor control officer in Transportation Corridor west which is a highway built to allow the transportation of raw material and personnel to and from the Kaesong Industrial complex in North Korea. Other members of the contingent monitored activities along the eastern corridor which was established mainly for tourists travelling north to visit the Mt Keumgan resort.

The Armistice between North and South Korea was signed in 1953, and three commissions were established to help monitor it. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, which New Zealand is aligned to, was established to monitor the peace outside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), a 241 km long and four km wide buffer zone separating the opposing forces. Sixteen nations have personnel involved in monitoring the Armistice.

Darren says being pro-active made his experience that much more satisfying and enjoyable.

"We monitored the traffic going to and from North Korea, and it was up to us to ensure the Armistice was being complied with in our area of operations. We were always getting out and about, making sure our presence was noted. One aspect I particularly enjoyed was working with Defence personnel from other countries and seeing how they operate."

Darren worked with Major Richard Anderson, another Army Reserve officer who is a lawyer in civilian life, on a couple of specialist investigations.

In his role with UNCMAC Major Anderson regularly monitored the DMZ, usually by vehicle or helicopter, and he also investigated and documented Armistice violations. "Part of our job was to ensure the republic of Korea soldiers monitoring the DMZ understood the Armistice Rules of Engagement, and that they complied with those rules. We tried to ensure the commanders and their soldiers along the DMZ knew the correct procedure should there be a violation, for example, if someone fired at their post."