Korean anti-piracy unit takes part in multinational operation

Defense

Published: 22 May. 2023, 09:48 Updated: 22 May. 2023, 13:21

Korean anti-piracy unit takes part in multinational operation

The Cheonghae Unit's Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin destroyer, right, alongside the Italian frigate Luigi Rizzo, participates in a counter-piracy operation ″Hanul″ in waters near the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday. [JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF]

Korea's anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit participated in a counter-piracy operation with armed forces from 13 other countries earlier this month, the military said Sunday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the Cheonghae Unit joined the United States, Italy, Japan, Canada and others in the May 14-20 operation organized by the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151.

Codenamed "Hanul," the operation involved conducting maritime patrolling and issuing anti-piracy warnings in the Middle East waters, including the Gulf of Aden, according to the JCS.

The Cheonghae Unit's Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin destroyer and the Italian frigate Luigi Rizzo were deployed Wednesday as the forces looked to establish interoperability for anti-piracy missions.

The CTF 151 also carried out a command post exercise with the CTF 465 under the European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta.

Korea took command of the CTF 151 from Brazil in February, with Rear Adm. Ko Seung-bum at the helm.

Under the 34-member Combined Maritime Forces, the CTF 151 was established in 2009 with a focus on counter-piracy missions. The United States, Britain and Japan and others have previously led the CTF 151.

Yonhap