ID :
23187
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 18:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23187
The shortlink copeid
Thousands gather at Busan for review of fleet from 13 nations
BUSAN, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of spectators gathered in the southern port city of Busan Tuesday for a rare chance to see over 30 South Korean warships amassed for an international fleet review that also marked the debut of South Korea's first Aegis destroyer, Sejongdaewang.
Also lined up for an inspection by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and the
country's top military officials were over 20 naval vessels from 12 countries,
including Japan, China, Russia and the United States.
The Fleet Review is part of festivities planned this year to mark the 60th
foundation anniversary of the nation's armed forces.
Standing at over 40 meters above water, the nuclear-powered 97,000-ton U.S.
carrier, USS George Washington, caught the eyes of over 3,000 South Korean and
other spectators gathered here to view the rare sight of over 50 warships in a
single file.
"The event was planned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of our
nation as well as our armed forces while showcasing how developed our naval
forces have become since then," said Navy Capt. Yang Jeong-seung, who was in
charge of organizing the fleet review.
Tuesday's event marked the second international fleet review hosted by South
Korea, following the first in 1998. A fleet review is a traditional naval event
in which the head of state reviews the country's fleet before a war or for a
simple show of strength.
Also taking part in the review were various ships from India, Indonesia,
Singapore, Thailand, Canada, Australian and Britain.
This week's event in Busan also brought together ranking military officials,
including chiefs of naval operations, from 24 countries for a regional forum that
will focus on ways to increase cooperation between the countries in fighting
terrorism and piracy in their region, according to the Navy.
The Fleet Review runs throughout the week, during which a number of naval ships,
including South Korea's largest landing ship Dokdo-Ham and numerous others from
the participating nations, will be on public display at five ports throughout
Busan, it said.
Also lined up for an inspection by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and the
country's top military officials were over 20 naval vessels from 12 countries,
including Japan, China, Russia and the United States.
The Fleet Review is part of festivities planned this year to mark the 60th
foundation anniversary of the nation's armed forces.
Standing at over 40 meters above water, the nuclear-powered 97,000-ton U.S.
carrier, USS George Washington, caught the eyes of over 3,000 South Korean and
other spectators gathered here to view the rare sight of over 50 warships in a
single file.
"The event was planned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of our
nation as well as our armed forces while showcasing how developed our naval
forces have become since then," said Navy Capt. Yang Jeong-seung, who was in
charge of organizing the fleet review.
Tuesday's event marked the second international fleet review hosted by South
Korea, following the first in 1998. A fleet review is a traditional naval event
in which the head of state reviews the country's fleet before a war or for a
simple show of strength.
Also taking part in the review were various ships from India, Indonesia,
Singapore, Thailand, Canada, Australian and Britain.
This week's event in Busan also brought together ranking military officials,
including chiefs of naval operations, from 24 countries for a regional forum that
will focus on ways to increase cooperation between the countries in fighting
terrorism and piracy in their region, according to the Navy.
The Fleet Review runs throughout the week, during which a number of naval ships,
including South Korea's largest landing ship Dokdo-Ham and numerous others from
the participating nations, will be on public display at five ports throughout
Busan, it said.
