[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The name of the Cheonan ship, which was attacked 10 years ago, is expected to be revived as the name of a new-class frigate. Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo is reportedly directing active consideration of naming the new ship "Cheonan" on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Cheonan attack this year.
According to the military on the 26th, the Navy has named its patrol ships after medium-sized cities, such as Cheonan, Jinhae, Gunsan, and Donghae. However, recently the Navy has been replacing patrol ships with new-class frigates. Six Batch-I frigates have been completed, and at the end of 2018, the Navy signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for the construction of the 5th and 6th new-class frigates of Batch-II. On the 16th, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration signed a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the system development of the lead ship of the Ulsan Batch-III.
Accordingly, it is expected that the Batch-III ship will be named Cheonan. "Batch" is a unit classifying ships of the same type, similar to a "version." The higher the number, the more advanced the ship's capabilities.
Minister Jeong may also publicly discuss the naming of the ship during the 10th anniversary event of the Cheonan at the Pyeongtaek 2nd Fleet Command. In September 2010, the Cheonan Citizen Countermeasures Committee in Cheonan, Chungnam, met with then-Deputy Defense Minister Lee Yong-geol and delivered a petition urging the reconstruction of the Cheonan along with the "Cheonan Reconstruction Citizen Signature List."
The event will proceed in the following order: opening remarks, a moment of silence for the 46 Cheonan heroes, an operational progress report, roll call of the 46 Cheonan heroes, flower offering and incense burning, a memorial speech by the Minister of National Defense, and a memorial performance by the combined choir of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Considering the COVID-19 situation, the number of attendees has been reduced compared to previous years.
The military has designated the period from the 23rd to the 27th of this month as "Security Resolution Week" and is holding various memorial events. More than 13,000 citizens and service members have visited the Navy's "Cheonan Cyber Memorial Hall" to pay tribute to the 46 Cheonan heroes.
The Navy patrol ship Cheonan sank on March 26, 2010, at 9:22 p.m. southwest of Baengnyeongdo while performing a surveillance mission, after being torpedoed by a North Korean submarine, according to the joint civilian-military investigation team. Of the 104 crew members, 46 died and 58 were rescued. The ship, which was split in two, is currently on display at the 2nd Fleet.
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