Cheonghae Unit''s special forces engaged in naval drill near Geoje-do (Geoje Island), South Gyeongsang Province, early July. Daejoyoung Destroyer is seen in rear.

Korean Navy''s Cheonghae, an anti-piracy unit, will dispatch its second contingent to the sea off the coast of Somalia on Thursday (July 16), the Ministry of Defense announced the previous day.

The second rotation of forces to board the Daejoyoung, a 4,000 ton-class destroyer, will leave from Jinhae Naval Base in Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang Province) for the Gulf of Aden (off the Somali coast), after a send-off ceremony.

The ceremony will be presided over by Admiral Jung Ok-keun, Korea''s Chief of Naval Operations, and participated in by key officials from home and abroad, families and friends.

Admiral Jung said in his message of encouragement that the second deployment of forces should inherit the proud achievements made by the first one.

Cheonghae''s first dispatch of forces has successfully protected domestic and foreign ships from Somali pirates as many as six times since April.

Recalling the innovative spirit of Jang Bogo, a powerful maritime figure who controlled the Yellow Sea during the Unified Silla (A.D. 668-935) period, Mr. Jung said that the Cheonghae Unit should always do their utmost to provide maritime security for the country''s ships and its people, giving hope to people at home who are experiencing economic difficulties.

The first and second deployments will rotate their shifts in the Gulf of Aden in August and the latter will be on duty through to the year''s end.