The South Korean Navy’s Cheonghae Unit will continue its activities in a one-year extension through late next year.

In a cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday, the government deliberated on and approved the motion to extend the Cheonghae Unit’s antipiracy work.

The government said the extension is due to remaining threats from Somali pirates against South Korean ships and the Cheonghae Unit’s success in its duties, which are helping protect national interests and enhance national prestige.

Also approved was a motion to extend through late next year the nation’s United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.