S. Korean navy chief to meet anti-piracy commanders in Somali waters

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top admiral left Monday to meet with
commanders of multinational anti-piracy troops operating off the Somali coast,
including his country's own, the Navy said.
During the five-day trip, Jung Ok-keun will meet U.S. 5th Fleet Commander V. Adm.
William Gortney, Maj. Gen. Lefort Philippe, who commands French forces in
Djibouti, and Bahrainian chief of staff Maj. Gen. Sheikh Abdullah Khalifa, the
Navy said in a statement.
Jung will also visit the South Korean anti-piracy unit, Cheonghae, operating
aboard a destroyer to protect South Korean vessels plying the Gulf of Aden, the
Navy said.
A 300-crew South Korean destroyer has operated there as part of the U.S.-led
anti-piracy forces since April, engaging in six rescue operations.
Approximately 500 South Korean ships ply the Gulf of Aden each year. About 150 of
them are vulnerable to pirate attacks because of their low speed, according to
the Navy.
"Chung will try to boost the morale of the troops operating in the Cheonghae unit
and also visit another South Korean unit cruising as part of its global training
program in the region," the Navy said.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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