PORT KLANG: South Korea’s floating school for midshipmen arrives at Port Klang on a 96 day tour to 12 countries. It consists of 650 crew members including 150 midshipmen.
Under the command of Rear Admiral Chun Jung-soo, the naval academy’s 69th class comprises the destroyer Choi Young and the fast combat support vessel Cheonji.
It arrived here from its eighth port of call in Myanmar.
Admiral Chun said the tour provides the trainees with hands-on experience before they become commissioned officers next March.
The trainees will visit Universiti Pertahanan Negara Malaysia and several key historical sites to learn about Malaysia’s history and culture.
Admiral Chun is also expected to make courtesy calls on Royal Malaysian Navy top brass.
The group will also put up cultural performances and be hosts to public tours, on-ship receptions and outreach activities.
“I am very glad to visit Port Klang, which is at the heart of Malaysia’s growing economy.
“I hope our visit will strengthen the friendship between our countries,” Admiral Chun said at a press conference here yesterday.
He said it was not the first time that the Cruise Training Task Group visited Malaysia. It had made 20 visits here, with the first happening in 1963.
Admiral Chun said the tour would cover 20,240 nautical miles (37,500km). After its stay here, the Cruise Training Task Group will leave for its 10th port of call, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.