Military

Russian, South Korean Coast Guards to hold anti-piracy joint drills

RIA Novosti

10:41 01/07/2010

VLADIVOSTOK, July 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russian and South Korean Coast Guards will hold joint antipiracy and antiterrorism drills on July 7 in the Sea of Japan, the regional Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards department spokeswoman said.

"Coast Guard ships and aircraft of the two countries will take part in joint tactical exercises in the territorial sea waters of the Republic of Korea," Natalya Rondalyova said adding that two Russian and three South Korean ships, two helicopters from the Russian FSB and South Korean National Marine Police Agency, two boats and a group of special forces from both sides will participate in the drills.

Rondalyova said the military will train how to cooperate in combating against illegal activities at sea, such as searching for, trailing and detaining a ship seized by terrorists, disarming criminals and freeing hostages, as well as rescuing people at sea and extinguishing fires on board caused by a bomb blast.

The drills will be held during the Russian Coast Guard's visit to South Korea on July 6-9.

The Russian delegation will be led by the head of the FSB's Coast Guard department, Col. Gen. Viktor Trufanov.