Indo-Korean exercise to tackle rising maritime challenges

The ship is in the city to participate in a joint exercise titled Sahyog-Hyeoblyeog 2018, between the two Coast Guard agencies, which will be conducted off Chennai in the Bay of Bengal on April 5, to foster interoperability.

Participating in the joint exercise will be the Indian Coast Guard’s fleet consisting of five surface units (Shaurya, Rani Abbakka, Abheek, C-423 and C-431), two air assets (01 dornier and o1 Chetak) and the Korean Coast Guard Ship 3011. The exercise will include scenarios like hijacking of a merchant vessel and its subsequent rescue in a combined Coast Guard operation of both the countries, interdiction of a pirate vessel, cross boarding, external fire fighting and the SAR (search and rescue) demonstration.

The joint exercise is a part of the ongoing cooperative arrangements between the two coast guards since the past 12 years and as a part of the memorandum on cooperation signed by Indian and Korean Coast Guard in 2004. 

Speaking at a meeting of senior officials of the coast guards, Superintendent Oh Taeog, who commands the 88-crew vessel, said that the key purpose of the visit is to build a stronger cooperation with the Indian Coast Guard,” said the official. 

Consul general of Republic of South Korea for south India, Kim Hyung Tae, said that the Korea-India relationship is rapidly growing. “Korea and India are maritime countries – so there are many cooperation opportunities between us. We need to find out more such opportunities and strengthen friendship between the two countries,” he said. 

The exercise will be witnessed by the Director General Rajendra Singh, Director General of Indian Coast Guard and the Commissioner General Park Kyung Min, Head of Korean Coast Guard. The exercise will be coordinated and conducted under the overall supervision of Inspector General RajanBargotra, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East). 

“Maritime cooperation is very significant for Korean and Indian coast guard as both the countries have long coastlines and are exposed to almost similar security scenario. Both the countries have extensive and diversified maritime challenges in safeguarding the national interests,” stated IG Bargotra.