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In First, SK Troops to Train With Russians
Raising the ante on KimmySouth Korea will send a naval vessel and inspectors to participate in a multination training exercise in Russia on August 18-27 at the request of the Russian government, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. The other nations participating in the exercise will be Japan and the United States. A Korean destroyer will convey about 200 crewmembers and a helicopter as well as two navy captains to inspect the training in the first ever military exercise bringing together South Korean and Russian troops. A ministry official said that Russia had also asked Pyongyang to send inspectors for the field training, and that Pyongyang would be sending a couple of navy captains. If North Korea does send the inspectors, they would naturally have contact with the South Korean military officials participating in the exercises, the ministry said. Good chance to get some spies? The training is to be directed by the Russian Pacific Fleet command, and will consist of about 30,000 soldiers and sailors, 110 vessels and 50 planes and helicopters. Search and rescue training will take place at Nahotka, Okhotsk and the Russian side of the Bering Sea. The training will focus on humanitarian purposes such as preventing illegal fishing. Apart from North Korea, Canada and China will also be sending only inspectors instead of vessels. Posted by: Frank G 2003-08-07 |
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