Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The 2017 cruise training group, which finalized the training of 4th grade students at the Naval Academy, entered Shuwaikh Port on the 15th (local time), to celebrate the 38th anniversary of diplomatic ties. This is the first time that a cruise training group has visited Kuwait.

Cruise training is a hands-on ocean-going sailing program to cultivate the practical adaptability and global leadership of marine cadets who are in the process of training. This year's cruise training group consisted of about 600 soldiers, including 138 naval academy cadets on a 4400-ton Korean-type destroyer (DDH-II) Gang Gam-chan and a 4200-ton class AOE Hwacheon.

The cruise training group, which became the first ROK Navy team to enter the port of Schweit, took part in a busy official schedule for three nights and four days beginning with the welcome reception by the Ambassador of Korea to Kuwait.

The cruise training group will hold public events for the citizens of Kuwait and Korean residents during the port period. They will also help strengthen cooperation between the two countries, through activities like the on-board reception, Korean culture and arts performances, visits to the Kuwait Navy headquarters, and friendly football matches between the two countries.

In particular, Korean culture and arts performances will be held on the 17th, including the National Party Band, Military Band, Guard of Honor, B-boy Team, Taekwondo Team, Navy Public Relations Team and Cadet Choir, helping to spread the ’Korean Wave’.

The Defense Industry Public Relations Exhibition Hall, located in the Hwacheon, will take a leading role in promoting Korea's excellent weapons systems and technologies, as well as promoting the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>