“ROKN Cruise Training Task Group visits Auckland, New Zealand”

- On OCT 13th, 2 Republic of Korea Navy ships with 650 crew members onboard, including 140 midshipmen, are to visit New Zealand.

- During its 4-day stay in Auckland, CTTG has a busy schedule, including office calls, public ship tour, and Korea war veterans appreciation ceremony.

• The 2014 ROK Navy Cruise Training Task Group (Commander, RDML Chun, Jungsoo) will arrive in Auckland on OCT 13th after its departure from its second port of call, Sydney. This port call marks CTTG's 11th visit since the first in 1968.

• ROKN Cruise Training Task Group is composed of 650 members, including 140 midshipmen of the Naval Academy's 69th class, onboard ROKS CHOI YOUNG (DDH-II, 4,400 tons) and combat support ship ROKS CHEONJI(AOE, 4,200 tons).

• Marking the 61st year since 1954, Cruise Training Task Group aims to provide the midshipmen with an opportunity to gain military expertise and hands-on experience that will become essential when they set sail as newly commissioned officers next March. Starting with Guam, the Task Group will navigate a total distance of 20,240NM (37,500km) for the duration of 96 days, calling in at 12 ports in 12 different countries, including Guam, Australia and New Zealand.

• At 10:00 AM OCT 13th, Cruise Training Task Group will host a welcoming ceremony and open the ships to the public amidst the warm ovation by Consul-general Ilho Park, Korean community vice president Yosup Cho, and other distinguished guests. In the open-ship event, the Task Group plans to advertise Korea's top-tier defense industry products and the historical growth of Korea as it transformed from an aid-receiving nation to an aid-giving nation through its defense industry exhibition and the 'Miraculous development of Korea' photography exhibition.

• During its visit, CTTG is scheduled to have office calls with Deputy Chief of Navy, Auckland City Police District Commander, and others, strengthening the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. Midshipmen will visit the naval base, museums, and historical sites to deepening their understanding of New Zealand's culture and history.

• On the second day, OCT 14th, CTTG will visit Auckland War Memorial Museum and conduct a wreath laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial Monument. At 11:00 am, Cruise Training Task Group's performance team and New Zealand Navy Band will perform together in an open space at Auckland War Memorial Museum. In addition, Korea's traditional percussion quartet "Samul-nori", Taekwondo, and K-POP will be staged for the Kiwis and the veterans as the audience.

• At 6:00 pm, CTTG will have a ship reception, to which the Korean War veterans and their families as well as many other Kiwis are invited.

The reception will stage diverse cultural performances and video clips, delivering the message of gratitude to the Korean War veterans in attendance.

• On the 15th, CTTG sailors will participate in sports events with Royal New Zealand Navy sailors in Devonport, further enhancing the friendship between the two navies.

• RDML Chun, Jungsoo, commander of Cruise Training Task Group, said, "New Zealand sent 6,000 troops to the peninsula in support of Republic of Korea during the Korean War and became Korea's blood-tied alliance. I hope this visit will further enhance the friendship between the two nations and allow us to thank the veterans for their sacrifices."

• After its four-day stay in Auckland, ROKN Cruise Training Task Group will leave for its fourth destination, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on the 16th. //The End//

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