Anti-piracy operation in the Indian Ocean. Korean ship moves to EU flag
(B2) ROKS Choi Young, a South Korean ship, has just been enlisted in the framework of the European anti-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia (EUNAVFOR Atalanta).
This Sun-sin class destroyer, which entered service in September 2008, is equipped with the latest military and surveillance technology. And he " is perfectly suited to anti-piracy operations underlines the operation's headquarters in Northwood (UK).
A second time
This is not the first time that a South Korean ship has joined the European operation. It even becomes a habit. " The first combined operation between the Cheonghae and EUNAVFOR, at the end of February, was particularly successful underlined the commander of the South Korean fleet, Vice Admiral Jung Jin-sup, according to the European press release. And " this new coordination will allow our cooperation to progress even further ". For the commander of the force at sea, Rear Admiral (Spanish) Rafael Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas, this cooperation benefits both partners. " By cooperating with the Republic of Korea Navy, we were able to show how EUNAVFOR develops its understanding of maritime security off the coast of Somalia by talking to local coastal communities and carrying out surveillance at sea.. It has [also] allowed the [South Korean] Navy to assess how their capabilities can be better employed to assist in counter-piracy efforts. »
A regular in the fight against piracy
Le Choi Young is a regular in the Indian Ocean. He had often participated in anti-piracy operations as part of CTF-151 (the maritime coalition created under American impetus). In 2011, in an operation hitherto unprecedented for the South Korean military, they went on the attack, liberating the Samho Jewelry, a Norwegian ship flying the Maltese flag, with little regard for the hostage takers (Read: South Korean navy storms in and frees ship from pirates).
Comment: this military cooperation resonates with a particular symbolism for the Europeans at a time when they are displaying their desire to have a certain autonomous defense, and for South Korea, at a time when new sanctions at the international level (and at the European level ) are looming against North Korea and its nuclear proliferation program.
(NGV)