The South Korean Navy on Monday commenced its 107-day international training mission for cadets set to take place in 12 countries, officials said.

The 63rd annual “cruise training,” as the Navy calls it, is designed to give officers-in-training field experience before being commissioned. The exercises began in 1954, and have expanded since in terms of countries involved.

The crew consisting of 600 seamen will include 130 cadets from the 71th class of the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, onboard the 4,400-ton DDH-II Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer and the 4,200-ton AOE-57 Cheonji fast combat support ship.

For the next 107 days, the flotilla will travel 35,200 kilometers stopping in 12 countries, including the US territories of Guam and Hawaii, Japan, China, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

Cadets are to participate in battle exercises and drills to show how to address emergency situations onboard. During their visit to the US, Australia and New Zealand, the crew will visit Korea War veterans and visit the respective national cemeteries.

The upcoming training exercise will also serve to promote Korea and government policies.


By Yoon Min-sik(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)