Coast Guards of India and Korea to undertake joint exercise from April 5

This initiative is the precursor to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a yearly joint exercise titled Sahyog-Hyeoblyeog, a press release issued here said. The Defence Ministry is anchoring the programme aimed at exploring the consolidation of maritime ties between the two nations. 

Sources said the defence exercise will not be limited to maritime and defence prowess analysis. The two sea-faring nations will also explore cultural and economic arenas of cooperation. 

The exercise will see coordinated search and rescue operations and other maritime reconnaissance and outreach exercise. 

Sources said the personnel of both the forces would benefit from the exposure to operational procedures followed. Sahyog-Hyeoblyeog 2018 would provide an exciting opportunity for coast guards of both the countries to train together in an integrated format for search and rescue operations, the release said. 

The personnel will jointly plan, train and execute a series of extensively researched anti-piracy scenarios and subsequent rescue operations, it said. 

Experts from both countries would open dialogues and hold academic discussions on a variety of topics. 

The event would also showcase the excellent contribution of the Indian Coast Guard in developing its strength and resources in responding to search and rescue operations. 

Indian Coast Guard Director-General Rajendra Singh and Commissioner General of Korea Coast Guard Park Kyung Min will be in Chennai to oversee the joint exercise.