South Korea deploys warship to Ghana after pirates kidnap sailors
South Korea has deployed a warship to the sea off Ghana after three South Korean sailors were kidnapped by pirates, Seoul's foreign ministry said late Saturday.
The 500t Marine 711 with about 40 Ghanaian and three South Korean sailors was boarded by unidentified pirates on 26 March.
The pirates seized the three South Koreans and escaped on a separate speedboat, with their current whereabouts unknown.
The Marine 711, registered in Ghana, later arrived at a port at Ghana where the Ghanaian sailors disembarked, according to the South's Yonhap news agency.
South Korea's military said the pirates had been identified as Nigerians, Yonhap reported. According to the news agency, Munmu the Great, a South Korean warship that had been involved in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, had been sent to the nearby sea.
‘We are closely coordinating with local countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Benin as well as the US and the EU to locate our nationals and secure their release,’ the foreign ministry said.
The pirates have not yet demanded a ransom in return for the release of the abducted sailors.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Saab relaunches third upgraded Gotland-class submarine
More than 20 of the central systems in HMS Halland were replaced as part of the upgrade, including sensors and command systems.
-
IDEX 2025: Saab launches new Coast Control Radar to protect waterways
According to Saab, the new radar will work to safeguard territorial waterways and maritime traffic, improving safety and security of vessels in key economic lifelines.
-
Thales to support UK Royal Navy fleet communications for next 10 years
A new deal gives Thales discretionary powers on equipment replacement in the UK Royal Navy (RN) for a decade, saving an estimated £30 million.
-
Havelsan boosts command and control in Omani fleet “for 20 years”
A new deal between the Turkish firm and the Royal Navy of Oman would upgrade all the navy’s currently active vessels.
-
India and UK to collaborate on propulsion for next-generation Landing Dock Platform
The two countries signed a Statement of Intent to design an integrated full electric propulsion system for the Landing Platform Dock by 2030.
-
New anti-mine technology delivered to French and Royal Norwegian navies
Thales and Patria are among the companies to have supplied European navies with systems to combat the growing sea mine threat.