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South Korea’s Navy Flexes Muscles in High-Stakes Maritime Exercises

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On January 3, the Cheonan (FFG-II), a 3,100-ton frigate of the Navy’s 2nd Fleet, conducts live-fire drills during the first maritime exercise of the year in the West Sea. / Reporter Lee Kyung Won
On January 3, the Cheonan (FFG-II), a 3,100-ton frigate of the Navy’s 2nd Fleet, conducts live-fire drills during the first maritime exercise of the year in the West Sea. / Reporter Lee Kyung Won

Last Friday, the South Korean Navy conducted its first maritime exercises of 2025 across the East, West, and South Seas, reaffirming its robust military readiness and bolstering its determination to defend national security and prosperity.

The exercise involved nine vessels, including destroyers, frigates, guided-missile fast boats, and two aircraft from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fleets. Each fleet conducted rigorous training tailored to their specific operational environments and missions, encompassing anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship firing, and tactical maneuvers.

Yang Yong Mo, the Chief of Naval Operations, boarded a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to provide on-site guidance during the exercises in the West Sea. While in flight, Yang communicated with the 2nd Fleet’s Maritime Training Commander and the West Sea Maritime Surveillance Commander, encouraging personnel and emphasizing the importance of establishing a firm readiness posture through realistic training.

The maritime training commander expressed unwavering determination in response, stating, “We will maintain combat readiness through practical training to deter any potential enemy provocations.”

The Navy conducts these maritime maneuver exercises at the beginning of each year to assess the combat readiness of its fleets and enhance personnel operational capabilities, continuing the tradition of a victorious naval force. This year’s training placed particular emphasis on maintaining unwavering mission readiness in a challenging security environment and establishing overwhelming response capabilities against potential enemy provocations.

Each fleet demonstrated its resolve to protect the nation and its citizens. The 1st Fleet, featuring the destroyer Kwanggaeto the Great (DDH-I, 3,200 tons) and the frigate Chuncheon (FFG-II, 3,100 tons), conducted anti-submarine warfare training, live-fire anti-ship exercises, and tactical maneuver drills.

The 2nd Fleet participated with four vessels, including the frigates Chungbuk (FFG-I, 2,500 tons) and Cheonan (FFG-II, 3,100 tons), and the Jocheon-class patrol vessel (PKG, 450 tons), supported by a Wildcat (AW-159) maritime operation helicopter. They engaged in similar training exercises.

The 3rd Fleet deployed three vessels, including the frigate Gyeongnam (FFG-II, 3,100 tons), a fast attack craft (PKM, 130 tons), and a Lynx maritime operation helicopter. This fleet focused on live-fire anti-ship exercises and tactical maneuvers.

Captain Jeong Seung Ho of the Gwanggaeto the Great, part of the 1st Fleet, remarked, “Repetitive and realistic training is the key to elevating the will to victory in combat. Based on a solid readiness posture, we will steadfastly defend our territorial waters under any circumstances.”

The South Korean Navy plans to maintain its overwhelming military readiness throughout 2025 through practical education and training, ensuring the safety of national waters 24/7, 365 days a year.

BEMIL
CP-2023-0359@fastviewkorea.com

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