Seoul to show off naval strength in Int`l Fleet Review

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state-of-the-art Aegis destroyer will make its first public appearance this week when the country deploys the 10,000-ton ship along with some 30 other naval vessels for a show of strength in an international fleet review, the Navy said Monday.

Over 20 warships from 12 nations, including the United States' nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier USS George Washington, will also be on display Tuesday when
Seoul's top military commanders inspect the ships off the waters of Busan, it
said.
Also on hand at the 2008 Fleet Review are various naval vessels from Australia,
Britain, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore and
Thailand, according to the Navy.
The fleet review is a naval event in which the head of state reviews the
country's fleet before a war or for a simple show of strength.
"The event has been organized to help promote our advanced naval forces to the
world and to promote cooperation and friendship in the region," the Navy said in
a press release, noting the first fleet review to be held in the country since
1998 will also mark the 60th anniversary of the foundation of South Korean armed
forces.
The event began Sunday for a five-day run. Some of the warships will be on
display throughout the remainder of the event for public review.
Ranking Navy officials, including chiefs of naval operations, from 24 countries
will also come to the southern city of Busan this week for the Fleet Review and a
naval symposium aimed at discussing ways to increase their countries' cooperation
in establishing naval security in the region, they said.