[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense photo] Chief of Naval Operations Visits Wanggeon Ship

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Navy Chief of Staff Shim Seung-seop visited the Wang Geon-class destroyer (DDH-978, 4,400-ton class) of the 31st Cheonghae Unit, which is docked at Muscat Port, Oman. The Wang Geon-class destroyer, deployed alone to the Strait of Hormuz, is a Korean-style destroyer equipped with anti-air, anti-ship, and anti-submarine capabilities.

According to the Navy on the 18th, Chief Shim commended the efforts of the unit members who rescued an Iranian-flagged drifting vessel on February 1 and saved precious lives through humanitarian support aboard the Wang Geon-class destroyer.

Chief Shim urged, "Just as you excellently completed the Iranian vessel rescue operation, I hope you maintain the highest level of readiness to flawlessly carry out various missions in the future."

The Wang Geon-class destroyer, which departed from Busan Operational Base on the 27th of last month, completed the mission handover with the Gang Gam-chan-class destroyer of the 30th Cheonghae Unit at Muscat Port, Oman, at around 5:30 p.m. Korean time on the 21st of last month, and is now fully engaged in protecting our citizens and vessels.

Launched in 2006, the Wang Geon-class destroyer measures 149.5 meters in length, 17.4 meters in width, and 39.2 meters in height, capable of sailing at a maximum speed of 55.5 km/h (30 knots). Its cruising range is 10,186 km (5,500 nautical miles), equivalent to the distance between Korea and the U.S. mainland. The Wang Geon-class destroyer is equipped with a 5-inch naval gun, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, SM-Ⅱ surface-to-air missiles, Haeseong (Sea Star) anti-ship cruise missiles, Hong Sang-eo (Red Shark) and Cheong Sang-eo (Blue Shark) anti-submarine guided weapons, Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) for short-range ship defense, and the Goalkeeper close-in weapon system.

The unit members have extensive deployment experience. The 31st Cheonghae Unit, composed of about 300 personnel including ship crew, Navy Special Warfare Command (UDT/SEAL) inspection and search team members, and helicopter operation squadron soldiers, has 72 members, accounting for 24%, with prior Cheonghae Unit deployment experience.

Following the decision for this solo deployment, the government designated the waters spanning approximately 3,900 km from the Gulf of Aden near Somalia to the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) as the Cheonghae Unit’s deployment area.

Although the government does not participate in the U.S.-led International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) - the Strait of Hormuz escort coalition - it has established a policy to cooperate with the IMSC if necessary.

Expanding its operational mission area to the Strait of Hormuz, the Wang Geon-class destroyer discovered and rescued an Iranian-flagged drifting vessel about 445 km southeast of Muscat Port at 5:13 p.m. (Korean time) on the 1st. This was the first time the Cheonghae Unit rescued an Iranian-flagged vessel on humanitarian grounds.

Meanwhile, Chief Shim will officially visit Oman and Thailand from the 16th to the 21st to promote military exchanges and maritime security cooperation between navies and to support the Korean government’s New Southern Policy and defense industry exports.