The Korean Ship is a sailing ship that travels from either Vladivostok or Pyongyang to Yokohama. Aboard the ship Passepartout can meet young Elena, whose mother is an ex-Cossack soldier and current head of the boiler room aboard the ship. Elena offers to let Passepartout meet her mother, who is a hard and inexpressive woman who appreciates a bit of grit more than grace.
Alternatively, if Passepartout has the Military Papers obtained in Omsk, they can be shown to Elena, who will tell her mother of his credentials and in turn speed up the ship, resulting in a considerable amount of time being shaved off the voyage - this can also be done for £800 without the Military Papers.