2 Korean ships will arrive on Monday

By ELENA L. ABEN
August 23, 2009, 6:28pm

Two South Korean Navy vessels -- a destroyer and a logistics ship -- will arrive in Manila Monday for a four-day goodwill visit, the Philippine Navy announced Sunday.

Navy spokesman, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said arriving in Manila Monday are the Choi Young, a Korean destroyer commanded by Capt. Hur Chul, and Dae Cheong, a logistics ship commanded by Capt. Song Taek.

The South Korean naval contingent is headed by Task Group Commander, Rear Admiral Kim Dong-Kyun. The ships have a complement of 68 officers, 122 midshipmen, 434 enlisted men and five civilians.

Arevalo said the ships will be arriving between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. at Pier 13, South Harbor, Manila. Upon their arrival, BRP Apolinario Mabini of the Philippine Navy will conduct meeting procedures off Corregidor Island and escort them to Pier 13.

The four-day goodwill visit of the two Korean ships will then start with a scheduled 10-minute press conference, followed by a call on Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Adm. Ferdinand Golez.

Arevalo said the Korean visitors will also make a courtesy call on Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and the Manila Police District (MPD) chief.

Arevalo said both the Korean and Philippine navies are hosting receptions, a ship tour, and other activities during the visit.