B.A.P. Union debuts in Busan, is massively visited by Koreans citizens

By Vice Chairperson Joy Cho

Ambassador Paul Duclos of the Republic of Peru in Seoul said, “We are aboard the Peruvian Navy Training Tallship, B.A.P. Union, which set sail from its homeport in Callao, Peru, on June 17th for the 2023-2024 overseas training deployment.”

Speaking to the Korean and international visitors to the BAP Union on Sept. 10, 2023, Ambassador Duclos then added, “The B.A.P. Union came to enhance the professional development and training of the Peruvian Navy´s future Officers, promote maritime awareness, and contribute to the nation’s international relations, while showing our flag as the itinerant embassy.”

Early on the morning of Sept. 10, 2023, a noted training ship of Peru, ‘BAP Unión,’ arrived in the Port of Busan, Korea on September 10, being its fourth destination country in its world global circumnavigation trip.

BAP Unión´s crew was welcomed by Ambassador Paul Duclos of Peru in Korea and local military and civilian authorities who presented its congratulatory message to the BAP Unión´s Captain, and more of 250 officers, specialists, and cadets from the Peruvian Navy.

Also, the Peruvian delegation was heartily warmed surprised by a delegation of Korean models dressed in the national Korean attire: “The Hanbok,” with white and red color references to the Peruvian flag.

So far, BAP Unión has been visited by almost 3,000 persons, including political authorities, families, civil, cultural, military and religious organizations, including the mass communications media such The Korea Post. Vice Chairpersons Joy Cho attended the opening ceremony and Chairmen Choe Nam-suk, Bae Hee-kwon, and President and Mrs. Kim Hyung-dae attended the events on the succeeding days.

All of the participants in the most impressive event enjoyed the excellent facilities and could interact with the showcase culture exhibition displayed in the ship.

BAP Unión was open to be visited until September 13. Furthermore, the BAP Unión´s crew, under the leadership of its Captain José Arce, fulfilled several activities that strengthened the relationship between Peru and Korea, in the framework of the Strategic Relationship and the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Peru.

Excerpts from the greeting message of Ambassador Duclos:

Good morning!

We are aboard the Peruvian Navy Training Tallship, B.A.P. Union, which set sail from its homeport in Callao, Peru, on June 17th for the 2023-2024 overseas training deployment named “Circumnavigation.” in fulfillment of its mission to enhance the professional development and training of the Peruvian Navy´s future Officers, promote maritime awareness, and contribute to the nations international relations, while showing our flag as the itinerant embassy the ship is during the ports of call and interacting through our crew with the citizens of the country we visit.

On board are 97 midshipmen from the Peruvian Naval Academy and 149 Peruvian Navy crew members, a total of almost 250 sailors.

B.A.P. Union will circumnavigate the globe for over 10 months, visiting 14 countries across the 5 continents

This is Union´s first global voyage since its construction and the second for the Peruvian Navy since 1856, over 167 years ago.

We arrived in the beautiful Busan after sailing over 12,000 nautical miles from our homeport, been 84 days deployed.

This iconic vessel of our navy, Peru´s itinerant embassy, carries the spirit of Peruvian people and represents our nation, its mission includes contributing to the country´s foreign policy and joining in celebrating the 60 years of diplomatic relations between Peru and Korea. After arriving in this great city on September 10th, we will stay for 4 days until Sunday, September 14th.

This year 2023 Korea and Peru celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relationship with a shared vision of cooperation and friendship, where both our navies are fond of a well-developed military cooperation relationship, development of defense industry and academic exchange programs, such as the transfer of two Pohang class corvettes and the construction of 2 multipurpose amphibious LPD ships and our Coastguard Maritime patrol ship

B.A.P Union´s commanding officer and crew members extend a warm welcome to the people of koera.

Doors to the public for them to visit us at the Busan International Cruise Terminal on Sunday the 10th and Monday the 11th from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday 12th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and on Wednesday the 13th from 11:00 AM TO 5:30 PM

It is important for us to welcome the public in general, and show them our decks and the “Peruvian House” exhibition hall. This ship is a symbol of Peruvian culture and maritime tradition, built entirely by Peruvian hands in the Shipyards of the Peruvian Navy, undoubtedly a source of pride for the country