Korea's New Merchant Marine Academy

A new Merchant Marine Academy, built by UNKRA at a cost, of $350,000 on Yongdo Island, off the tip of the Korean peninsula, opened its doors last November. The academy stands on a bluff overlooking the Strait of Korea and consists of 17 modern steel and concrete buildings, with accommodations for 400 students. All the equipment necessary for complete nautical courses was also provided by UNKRA; a further allocation of $90,000 was made by the Agency this year to continue technical assistance for two years and to purchase additional equipment and supplies. Various organizations interested in the project have given subsidiary apparatus. The curriculum of the academy is modeled closely on the training programme followed at the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. This picture, taken in the machine shop of the Korean academy, shows cadets learning how to do emergency repairs; here instructor Kang Kyong Wok (right) demonstrates the use of a small milling machine.