KUWAIT: A destroyer from South Korea began an official four-day visit to Kuwait in an elaborate ceremony held at Shuwaikh Port yesterday. The Republic of Korea (ROK) Kang Gam Chan destroyer ship was welcomed by Kuwaiti navy counterparts, South Korean Ambassador to Kuwait Yoo Yeonchul and Korean citizens in the country. ROK Kang Gam Chan is a modern destroyer warship built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co Ltd.

The mission of the trip is to provide on-the-job training and send a message of peace and harmony to the 10 countries it was slated to visit in 2017. "I firmly believe that our visit to your country, though short, will provide a wonderful opportunity to further strengthen our friendship and promote mutual understanding between both countries,” said Yang Yong-mo, Commander of ROKN Cruise Training Task Group.

98-day voyage

The ship’s 98-day voyage to Vietnam, India, UAE, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Guam and Japan began on Sept 11, 2017 and ends on Dec 18, 2017. Under Yang’s command, there are 638 crewmembers including 140 midshipmen who are on on-the-job training from the 72nd class of ROK Naval Academy. ROK Kang Gam Chan is a key naval asset capable of conducting composite warfare including anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and electric warfare.

"Since the ‘Treaty of Amity’ in 1979 between S Korea and Kuwait, our focus has been on improving our economic ties; militarily wise, we are not very close, geographically speaking. But with this visit, we are hoping to strengthen our military ties. We hope this visit will open a new chapter, or perhaps become a stepping stone towards building a relationship on a new level so as to serve our common interests,” Yang added.

Four hostages

The ship saved four hostages from another ship, who were taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2012. The name Kang Gam Chan was taken from a revered general honored by the Korean people for contributing in a war against 100,000 Kitans and triumphing in the battle of Gwiju in 1018 AD. Along with ROK Kang Gam Chan are a smaller cargo ship and a fast combat support ship, sailing along with the destroyer carrying supplies and ammunitions such as oil, freshwater, logistic supplies, etc.

In a brief interview, Korean Ambassador Yoo spoke about the visit of the destroyer, which is proof of the growing bilateral cooperation and the beginning of a new chapter of military collaboration between the two countries.

"I can feel the high level of cooperation in this visit. The visit will bring many opportunities as they plan to stay here in Kuwait for the next four days. Onboard, we will have a reception and cultural performance. There will also be a football match between the South Korean and Kuwaiti navy teams. So, I am very excited and I am sure this visit will deepen our friendship further. This ship is touted as an unsinkable ship, and I will compare our relationship to this destroyer – unsinkable, and it will go on forever,” Yoo said.

 

By Ben Garcia