[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The positions of Hyundai Heavy Industries, which fired the shells, and the passenger ferry company differ regarding the incident where shells fell near a passenger ferry. Meanwhile, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, which manages the warship that fired the shells, has stepped in to handle the situation, but both inside and outside the military are responding that it was a harrowing situation that could have led to a major disaster.
At around 2:30 p.m. on the 1st, near Sadong Port in Ulleung-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, shells fired from the Ulsan-class Batch-II 4th ship (Donghae ship), which Hyundai Heavy Industries built and was conducting sea trials on, fell near the regular passenger ferry "Woorinuriho (534 tons)" operated by Taeseong Shipping, which was heading to Pohang Passenger Terminal. According to the ferry company and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, five shells fell in front of and on the starboard side of the ferry carrying 172 passengers and crew. Right behind it was the Sunrise ship (590 tons) operated by Daejeo Shipping, traveling the same route.
At the time, the Donghae ship was owned by Hyundai Heavy Industries because it had not yet been officially delivered to the Navy. Also, before the Navy officially took delivery, live ammunition firing during the anti-aircraft shooting evaluation was managed by Hyundai Heavy Industries. The shells used in the shooting evaluation that day were five live rounds.
The anti-aircraft shooting evaluation was pre-notified according to procedure, but it was investigated that the Donghae ship did not recognize the Woorinuriho entering the firing zone during the evaluation. At the time of firing, the Donghae ship was captained by a former Navy colonel conducting sea trials, with 37 Hyundai Heavy Industries employees on board. The Navy had 20 delivery personnel, 2 delivery evaluation observers, and 1 from the Defense Technology Quality Institute on board.
Hyundai Heavy Industries claimed, "Before firing, we confirmed that two civilian vessels were near the firing zone and communicated with the Sunrise ship, which sent signals, requesting a route change." They said that the Woorinuriho suddenly entered the firing zone.
However, the ferry company's position is different. They claim they received no prior notification of training and no mention of shooting exercises, so they maintained their course. In particular, the ferry company insists that they connected after repeatedly attempting to communicate with the warship.
A Defense Acquisition Program Administration official stated, "Currently scheduled firing will be temporarily suspended until measures to prevent recurrence are established," adding, "We are identifying problems throughout the warship sea trial system, and if violations of laws are found, we will promptly prepare measures such as punishing those responsible and improving the system."
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