Korean ships to visit RP

Three South Korean Navy training ships will conduct a goodwill visit in Manila from Jan. 21 to 24, the Korean Embassy announced yesterday.

First Secretary Jung Byeon-hoo said the visit was part of the 760 Korean sailors’ four-month course training, where they were expected to tour around the 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

These vessels, which will be headed by Commander Byung Chilchung, are the Korean Navy’s destroyer, Kwanggaeto the Great; the frigate, Chung Ju; and the logistics support, Taechong.

"We would like to invite both Koreans and Filipinos to participate in this momentous event as it aims to strengthen friendly relations between Korea and the Philippines. Likewise, it will increase mutual exchanges in the military field between our two countries," Jung said.

While these ships are docked at the Pier 15 of the South Harbor in Port Area, the Korean sailors will hold friendship sports with their Filipino counterparts at the Philippine Navy gymnasium and soccer field at the Fort Bonifacio in Makati City.

On Jan. 21 there would be a Korean presentation on taekwondo, a military musical concert and honor guards presentation at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. The following day, they would lay wreath at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park. – Aurea Calica