Seoul Mulls Naval Intervention in Somali Pirate Kidnappings
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The government is considering sending officials to Somalia, who will decide whether or not naval warships should be dispatched to the region where pirates have hijacked several Korean vessels.
The move comes after the seizure of the bulk carrier Bright Ruby with eight crewmembers aboard on Sept. 10. Pirates seized three South Korean fishing boats in 2006 and 2007
``We are positively reviewing the plan and inspectors are likely to head for the area late this month at the earliest,'' said an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Wednesday, asking to remain anonymous.
Details have not been determined yet, he added.
The Ministry of National Defense has sent naval vessels to other countries to help after massive natural disasters, but dispatching warships to Somali waters to protect Korean ships will be a first.
During a National Assembly audit of the Navy Tuesday, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Chung Ok-kun said the Navy was prepared to send ships.
``Considering the current military strength, vessels such as the 4,500-ton KDX-II class with helicopters designed for naval use and an anti-terror unit can be dispatched,'' he said.
Currently, Combined Task Force-150 which comprises of warships from approximately 20 countries including Britain, France and the United States patrols waters off Somalia to protect ships from pirates.
Reuters, quoting the U.S. Navy, reported last month that the international force had stopped more than 12 attacks since May.
The Korean tuna ship Dongwon with eight Korean sailors aboard was seized and released 117 days later in 2006, and the 24 crew of the fishing boats Mabuno Nos. 1 and 2 were released after 174 days in captivity last year.
Negotiations are still underway to free the sailors on the Bright Ruby.
Concerns over further hijackings are rising since nearly 26 percent of the nation's maritime cargo passes through the region.