S. Korean warship departs for pirate-plagued Somali waters: defense ministry By Sam Kim

SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean warship with a crew of 300 departed Friday for Somali waters to join multinational efforts to fight piracy in the region, described by President Lee Myung-bak as a "lifeline" for his country's energy needs.

The 4,500-ton Munmu the Great destroyer left the Jinhae naval base, about 300
kilometers south of Seoul, following a ceremony attended by Lee, the Ministry of
National Defense said in a release.
"The Gulf of Aden is a vital route for international energy transport. Especially
for us who bring 70 percent of crude oil from the Middle East, it is like a
lifeline," the president was quoted as saying in his speech.
About 460 South Korean vessels travel the gulf each year, according to the
government. Three South Korean ships have been kidnapped there over the past
several years, Lee said, expressing regret over the economic and emotional pain
caused by the incidents.
"We can no longer leave the lives and wealth of our people in danger," he said,
arguing South Korea should play a greater role in international security
activities.
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.
South Korea's Cheonghae unit, named after a 9th century Korean naval base,
consists of the 2004-commissioned destroyer, an anti-submarine helicopter and
special maritime forces.
Navy officials say it will take approximately three weeks for the destroyer to
reach the Somali waters.
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 piracy, and
black market sales of weapons run rampant.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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