Republic of Korea vessels make brief port stop

Republic of Korea Ship Soyang alongside in HMC Dockyard. Photo by S1 Kendric Grasby, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

SLt Wilson Ho
MARPAC Public Affairs
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Just after Remembrance Day, two Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy vessels sailed into Esquimalt harbour for a three-day port visit.

ROKS Wang Geon and ROKS Soyang came alongside at CFB Esquimalt to allow some rest and relaxation for the crews.

The vessels are part of the ROKN Cruise Training Task Force. It is the at-sea training component for the Republic of Korea’s Naval Academy. Fourth-year midshipmen from the ROK Naval Academy embark on the training cruise to practice navigation, cultivate military knowledge, and be exposed to a variety of on-the-job training to develop their professional skills as future junior officers.

During the visit, all training staff, students, and crew members remained onboard because of COVID-19 protocols. These protocols extended to the official greeting of the crew and ships’ leadership, which was a small, yet formal ceremony on the jetty.

Rear-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, also met with Rear Admiral Kyu-Paek Park, the ROKN Cruise Training Task Force Commander, during a leadership office call, and welcome gifts were exchanged.

The vessels departed Nov. 15. 

Rear-Admiral Kyu-Paek Park, Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Force Commander, and Rear-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific / Joint Task Force Pacific, exchange gifts at MARPAC headquarters in HMC Dockyard. Photos by S1 Kendric Grasby, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

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