S. Korean anti-piracy unit begins training ahead of mid-March deployment: Navy

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean naval unit to be deployed to
pirate-plagued Somali waters later this month conducted its first convoy drill on
Wednesday, mobilizing a warship and an attack helicopter, the Navy said.
The 300-strong Cheonghae unit, formed Tuesday after the National Assembly passed
a motion to join the U.S.-led anti-piracy campaign, is tasked with protecting
hundreds of South Korean commercial ships plying the Gulf of Aden each year.
Over 110 pirate-related incidents took place in the area in 2008, a five-fold
jump from two years earlier, prompting a number of countries, including Britain,
France and Russia, to join the fight.
The Cheonghae unit, named after a 9th century Korean naval base, consists of a
4,500-ton warship, an anti-submarine helicopter and special maritime forces. Navy
officials say it will take approximately three weeks for the Munmu the Great
Destroyer to reach Somali waters after leaving in mid-March.
"The training is focused on strengthening teamwork between the operational forces
and understanding of the mission against various contingencies involving
pirates," the Navy said in a statement, adding the drill took place off South
Korea's southern coast.
About 460 South Korean vessels travel the Gulf of Aden each year, according to
the government. Five South Koreans on a Japanese-owned cargo ship were released
last month after months of captivity by Somali pirates.
Somalia has not had a functional government or maritime authorities since its
dictator was dethroned by warlords in 1991.
Poverty has also driven a large number of farmers and fishermen to become
pirates, and black market sales of weapons run rampant.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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