[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Maritime Maneuver Exercises Across All Sea Areas

On the Occasion of West Sea Defense Day, Live-Fire Drills Conducted Across All East, West, and South Sea Areas Until the 24th

The Navy is conducting large-scale maritime maneuver exercises, including live-fire drills, across all sea areas in the East, West, and South Seas until the 24th in commemoration of the 8th West Sea Defense Day.

On the afternoon of the 4th, the Navy's 2nd Fleet conducted live-fire exercises and tactical maneuver training against air and surface targets in the waters off Taean, Chungnam. The exercises involved the destroyer Eulji Mundeok (3,200 tons), the frigate Cheongju (1,500 tons), the guided missile fast attack craft Hong Siwook (450 tons), and a patrol boat (230 tons), along with aircraft. Cheongju (far left), Hong Siwook, and the patrol boat are conducting tactical maneuver training. Photo by Joint Press Corps

According to the Navy on the 21st, this exercise was planned to honor the spirit of defending territorial waters of comrades who sacrificed their lives while protecting the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea and to establish a decisive posture capable of responding reflexively to enemy provocations.

The exercise involves over 20 naval vessels, including the Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer ROKS Eulji Mundeok (DDH-I, 3,200 tons), the frigate ROKS Seoul (FFG, 2,800 tons), and the large amphibious assault ship ROKS Dokdo (LPH, 14,500 tons), as well as about 20 aircraft such as maritime operational helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft.

In the East and West Seas, the 1st and 2nd Fleets will conduct localized provocation response drills, anti-submarine warfare, and live-fire exercises against surface and air targets to counter various surprise attacks by the enemy. In the South Sea, the 3rd Fleet will carry out exercises to block enemy infiltration into the rear and protect key ports.

Notably, during the maritime maneuver exercises, the Navy will conduct live-fire exercises against surface targets at 10:25 a.m., the time of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong engagement, and anti-submarine live-fire exercises at 9:22 p.m., the time of the Cheonan sinking, demonstrating the determination for a decisive victory.

Major General Ahn Sang-min, commander of the 2nd Fleet, who is in charge of the West Sea maneuver exercises, stated, "The noble spirit of sacrifice of the 55 Navy and Marine comrades who gave their lives defending the West Sea has led to our troops' resolute will to win if they fight," adding, "We will establish a perfect decisive posture to strongly support peace with power." Second Lieutenant Park Dae-yeon, a navigator on the ROKS Seoul, expressed his resolve, saying, "On the sea protected by the blood of our predecessors, we will strengthen our determination for a decisive victory against the enemy," and "We will severely punish any enemy who invades our waters."

In celebration of this West Sea Defense Day, the Navy has designated March 20?26 as a security emphasis period, conducting tactical discussions and special mental education for troops to establish a decisive posture, holding maritime defense resolution meetings by units, and operating a cyber memorial hall to reinforce the will to defend territorial waters.

West Sea Defense Day was designated in 2016 as the fourth Friday of March to remember the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the Cheonan sinking, and the Yeonpyeong Island shelling, and to reaffirm the will to defend the West Sea NLL. The fourth Friday of March marks the day of the Cheonan sinking in 2010. The Second Battle of Yeonpyeong occurred on June 29, 2002, when two North Korean patrol boats crossed the NLL at 9:54 a.m. and launched a surprise attack on our patrol boat Chamsuri 357 at 10:25 a.m., resulting in six deaths. The Cheonan sinking happened on March 26, 2010, at 9:22 p.m. southwest of Baengnyeongdo due to a North Korean torpedo attack, killing 46 personnel, including Navy Warrant Officer Han Joo-ho, who died during search operations. The Yeonpyeong Island shelling took place on November 23, 2010, starting at 2:34 p.m. with a surprise rocket artillery attack by North Korea, with fighting continuing until 3:41 p.m., resulting in two deaths.