Sunday Times 2
Korean Navy ship commander says visit highlights strategic importance of Lanka
View(s):The Republic of Korea Navy Ship “Kang Gam Chan”, the 44th Escort Task Group (ETG) arrived at Colombo Port on Tuesday, April 22.
The port call was followed by a reception which was attended by Korean Ambassador Miyon Lee, Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retd.) K.P. Aruna Jayasekara, and the Commanders of all three armed forces.
The port Call of ROKS Kang Gam Chan marked an important landmark given that this is the second visit of a ROK Naval Ship within one and a half years since the previous visit in 2023.
Captain Kwon Yong gu, Commanding Officer of ROKS Kang Gam Chan and Commander of the 44th ETG, expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and emphasised the strategic importance of cooperation with Sri Lanka in the region. He also highlighted the significance of the ETG’s mission in promoting maritime security and freedom of navigation in critical waterways.
Welcoming “ROKS Kang Gam Chan” to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Miyon Lee introduced the 44th ETG to the Sri Lankan guests and made her remarks on the mission the ROK Navy ship was assigned with and its contribution in upholding international efforts of securing maritime safety in the waters around Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman.
Ambassador Miyon Lee also announced that this visit was a great opportunity for Korea to enhance the longstanding bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka.