Two Korean warships dock at Chennai port

Chennai: Two warships of Republic of Korea Navy, ROKS Kang Gam Chan (The Destroyer) and ROKS Dae Cheong, with 633 sailors on board including 144 midshipmen of the 70th class of the ROK Naval Academy, reached Chennai port Wednesday morning.  

This is the second visit by Korean navy's Cruise Training Task Group (CTTG) after its last visit in November. The crew on board received a warm welcome by the Korean consul general in Chennai, Kim Kyungsoo, officers of the Indian Navy and children from four schools across the city.

Students of the La Chatelaine School, British International School, Kids central and Kumararani Meena Muthiah School waved the flags of the two countries to welcome the guests.

Students were later taken for a tour inside the ship. The visit which is expected to bolster navy-to-navy cooperation, will also include courtesy calls, receptions, ship tours, professional exchanges and sports fixtures between the Republic of Korea and Indian Navy personnel.

"Our visit to Chennai contributes to the relationship between India and Korea, as it has been upgraded to 'Special Strategic Partnership' recently, closely cooperating in the areas of politics, diplomacy, economy, culture and military." said RDML Kim, Jong-sam, Commander of Cruise Training Task Group.

"We have zero piracy in Korean waters. Anti-piracy units are always depoyed similar to the Destroyer. We not only protect Korean merchant vessels but also foreign vessels." During its stay in the city, the crew will indulge in various activities, including participation in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by a cleanup of the Marina beach on Thursday. Apart from this, midshipmen will visit Avvai Home & Orphanage to spend time with the children, hold various recreational activities and donate 300 pairs of shoes and snacks. They will also engage in mutual ship tours with their Indian counterparts.

Yu Jun-myoung, a 23-year old mishipman, said, "India is one of the most important countries that supported us during the Korean war; that period when we needed the help most. The economic development we accomplished today is because of countries like India. By doing the community services we hope that our message of appreciation reaches the India."

Speaking about their journey, Song, an interpreter on-board, said, " It was more or less a smooth once except once while crossing the Bay of Bengal, where waves went as high as up to three meters and some of the crewmen suffered sea-sickness."

CTTG will also hold a joint performance at the Madras University. The CTTG will finally go underway on September 18, heading to its Fourth port of call in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after its three-day schedule in Chennai. The ship is set to finally return home on January 5.