S. Korean Navy chief seeks greater U.S. support for anti-piracy unit

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Navy chief met with the commander of
U.S. forces in Africa on Friday and sought greater U.S. support for his country's
anti-piracy unit operating off the Somali coast, the Navy said.

South Korea deployed a 300-crew destroyer to the Gulf of Aden to join U.S.-led
multinational anti-piracy forces there in March.

Navy Chief of Staff Jung Ok-keun met with Gen. William Ward of the United States
African Command in Djibouti and discussed ways to better support the unit, the
Navy said in a release.
Jung visited the South Korean Cheonghae unit earlier this week, delivering
supplies and refreshments for its soldiers. Having left South Korea early this
week, he was set to return home later Friday.
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.
Cheonghae mainly escorts South Korean ships, but has also taken part in joint
operations aimed at protecting vessels from other nations.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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