History of the Republic of Korea Navy

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Republic of Korea Navy was founded on November 11, 1945 as Marine Defense Group after Korea was liberated from the Empire of Japan. The ROK Navy is the oldest service within the ROK Armed Forces. In 2015, the South Korean navy celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Since the

North Korean navy, which has littoral naval capabilities. As South Korea's economy grew, the ROK Navy was able to locally build larger and better equipped fleets to deter aggression, to protect the sea lines of communication, and to support the nation's foreign policy. As part of its mission, the ROK Navy has engaged in several peacekeeping operations
since the turn of the 21st century.

The ROK Navy aims to become a blue-water navy in the 2020s.[1]

Origins

Further information: Naval history of Korea
Early 15th century Korean turtle ship in an illustration dating to 1795[2]

Dengzhou".[3] In the 9th century, Commissioner Chang Bo-go of the Unified Silla established a maritime base called Cheonghaejin in an island to foster trading with China and Japan
, and to eradicate pirates.

In 1380, the naval forces of the

Joseon Dynasty, the naval forces once reached its peak of 50,000 personnel due to the pirate issue.[4]

During the

Turtle Ship
.

By the end of the 19th century, the Joseon navy had no significant naval force[7] other than coast defense fortresses. In 1893, the Joseon court requested the British Consul-General to dispatch a naval officer for organizing a naval school in an attempt to modernize the navy. In September 1893, the navy school was established in Ganghwa Island. Lieutenant William H. Callwell, a retired British naval officer, and John W. Curtis of the Royal Marines, a gunnery instructor, served as instructors for 160 cadets and sailor recruits. However, the Royal Naval Academy was closed in November 1894, and the Joseon navy (i.e. Commander-in-Chief Three-Provincial Fleet) was brought to an end in 1895 due to the First Sino-Japanese War and the Gabo Reform. In 1900, the government of the Korean Empire purchased its first modern naval ship, KIS Yangmu (Hanja: 揚武), from Japan. She was originally a cargo ship called the Kachidatemaru. In 1900, the revenue cruiser, Gwangje (光濟) was delivered for the Korean maritime customs. She was built by Kawasaki Dockyard Company.[8] The Korean naval tradition was disrupted after Korea was annexed by the Empire of Japan in 1910.

Founding years

Rearming ROKS Beakdusan (PC 701) at Hawaii in March 1950
Deoksan airfield (present-day Jinhae naval airfield), where the ROKMC was founded, c. 1950

Shortly after Korea was liberated from the Empire of Japan on August 15, 1945,

South Korean government was established on August 15, 1948, the Korean Coast Guard formally became the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), and Sohn was appointed as the first Chief of Naval Operations of the ROK Navy on September 5, 1948.[11]

In October 1949, the ROK Navy purchased a 600-ton submarine chaser, the former

Paektu Mountain, and became "the first significant warship of the newly independent nation"[12][13] (later on the first night of the Korean War, she sank a 1,000-ton North Korean freighter loaded with 600 troops toward the vital South Korean port of Busan[14]). The Navy purchased three additional PC-461-class submarine chasers
before the Korean War.

On April 15, 1949, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) was founded at Deoksan airfield in Jinhae. The Marine Corps carried out Suppression Operations against communist elements in Jinju and Jeju Island.[15]

Korean War and 1950s

ROK Navy personnel acquiring PT boats in 1952
Rear Admiral Sohn Won-yil discussing Korean War operations with Rear Admiral A.E. Smith, USN

The

UN allies, dominated by U.S. forces, the ROK Navy was able to gain control in the seas surrounding the country; the ROK Navy secured the seas south of the 38th parallel. After the Incheon landing, the ROK Navy proceeded to take control of the entire seas surrounding the Korean peninsula, as a task group (Task Group 95.7) of the UN Blockading and Escort Force (Task Force 95). When UN troops withdrew from the north, due to the entry of Chinese troops, the ROK Navy conducted evacuation operations for the UN troops and Korean refugees with the UN allies. On July 27, 1953, the three-year-long war was brought to an end when an armistice agreement was signed. During the war, Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States contributed naval vessels as UN allies; Denmark sent the hospital ship Jutlandia.[17] During the Korean War, the ROK Navy acquired 28 ex-USN ships including five Tacoma-class frigates
.

The

Mutual Defense Treaty between South Korea and the United States was signed on 1 October 1953. In 1955, the South Korean government and the United States government made an agreement concerning the loan of U.S. Navy vessels. From 1955 to 1960, the ROK Navy acquired 42 ex-USN warships including two Cannon-class destroyer escorts
.

In September 1953, the ROK Navy established the Republic of Korea Fleet, which was responsible for the operation and training of the ships. Fleet Aviation Unit was established in 1957.[15]

On July 30, 1960, ROKS Gangwon (DE 72), formerly USS Sutton (DE-771), sank the North Korean navy patrol ship PBS 371 off the coast of Geojin.[18]

1960s

ROK Marines prepare defensive positions near Tuy Hòa, in S. Vietnam, c. 1965.

Continuing from the 1950s, the ROK Navy continued to build naval surface forces mainly with

U.S. Navy. In May 1963, the ROK Navy acquired its first destroyer ROKS Chungmu (DD 91 and later DD 911), the former USS Erben, a Fletcher-class
destroyer.

On October 3, 1964, ROKS Chungnam (DE 73, later DE 821), formerly USS Holt, "successfully prosecuted an unidentified submarine contact for more than 17 hours until the contact surfaced and was positively identified as a Soviet Whiskey-class submarine with pendant number 017".[19][20]

During the

USS Linn County (LST-900), evacuated about 1,300 South Vietnamese and South Koreans from South Vietnam to South Korea.[21]

In 1969, the ROK Navy began "Isolated Islands Visiting Program" to support people living in small and remote islands around the peninsula.[15]

On January 14, 1967, ROKS Chungnam (DE 73) collided with the wooden-hulled 140-ton coastal ferry Hanil, off Gadeok Island, resulting in death of the ferry's 94 passengers and crew. On January 19, 1967, ROKS Dangpo (PCE 56), the former USS Marfa (PCE-842), was sunk by North Korean coastal artillery north of the demarcation line off the east coast of Korea.[22] USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea in January 1968. On June 5, 1970, a navy broadcast vessel (I 2) was captured and abducted by North Korean patrol craft in the vicinity of Yeonpyeong Islands in the West Sea (Yellow Sea).[23]

1970s and 1980s

ROKS Gyeongbuk (FF 956), one of the Navy's first locally built Ulsan-class frigates
ROKN seamen in the early 1980s. The lettering on their hats reads "Republic of Korea Navy" in Korean.

In the 70s, the ROK Navy, through the

Park Chung-hee Administration's "Yulgok Plan" (an 8-year national defense plan "to build up self-reliant, national defense capability"[24]), began to establish a fleet of locally built warships. The Navy acquired shipbuilding capabilities by planning and building high-speed patrol craft such as Baekgu class and Chamsuri class
in the 1970s – in November 1972, the ROK Navy launched its first domestically built fast patrol craft to intercept North Korean spy boats.

The lead ship (FF 951) of the 2,000-ton

Gojunbong-class tank landing ship, mine warfare ship (Wonsan-class minelayer, Ganggyeong-class minesweeper), Cheonji-class logistics support ship, and Cheonghaejin-class submarine rescue ship
in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Fleet Aviation Unit became the Fleet Air Wing in 1977. The ROK Navy strengthened its naval aviation force by acquiring

Grumman S-2 Tracker anti-submarine warfare aircraft and Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters for shipboard helicopter operations with ex-USN Gearing-class destroyers. In 1986, the Fleet Air Wing became the Air Wing SIX. In 1973 and 1974, the ROK Navy reorganized its fleets into five Naval Sectors. In 1986, the ROK Navy reorganized its fleets: First Fleet, Second Fleet, and Third Fleet.[15] In November 1987, the Headquarters Republic of Korea Marine Corps was re-established; it was disbanded in October 1973 due to budget constraint.[26]

On February 22, 1974, a Navy harbor tug (YTL 30) capsized off Tongyeong, resulting in death of 153 Navy, Coast Guard recruits and 6 sailors.

1990s

ROKS Kwanggaeto the Great (DDH 971), the Navy's first indigenously built destroyer
ROKS Lee Sunsin (SS 068), one of the Navy's first locally built Chang Bogo-class submarines

Since the 1990s, the ROK Navy has been trying to build an ocean-going fleet to protect the sea lines of communication as South Korea's dependence on foreign trade increases. In 1989, the Navy mentioned the "Strategic Task Fleet" (Jeollyak-gidong-hamdae) in the Joint Strategic Objectives Plan. The ROK Naval forces began to participate in RIMPAC exercise from 1990 (ROKS Seoul (FF 952), ROKS Masan (FF 953) for RIMPAC 1990). On March 8, 1991, when giving the commencement speech at the ROK Naval Academy's graduation ceremony, President Roh Tae-woo addressed that the Navy should transform into the "blue-water navy".[27] In 1992, the ROK Navy ships – ROKS Chungnam (FF 953) and ROKS Masan (FF 955) of the Cruise Training Unit circumnavigated the world for the first time. On March 24, 1995, President Kim Young-sam affirmed that the Navy should have the Task Fleet and pave the way for a new era of blue-water navy when speaking at the Naval Academy's graduation.[28] On April 1, 1995, Admiral An Pyong-tae, the 20th Chief of Naval Operations, reaffirmed that the Navy should prepare to build the blue-water navy in his inaugural address. President Kim supported the Navy by approving a long-term shipbuilding plan for the ocean-going navy.[29] In 1999, the Navy presented its strategic vision for the 2020s as "Navy Vision 2020" that outlined the Navy's future Task Fleet, which includes light aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines.[30]

At the same time, the ROK Navy has been steadily upgrading its naval forces. As part of the plan to strengthen the surface combatant forces, ROKS Kwanggaeto the Great (DDH 971), the ROK Navy's first locally built destroyer, was launched in 1996; the Kwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers replaced the aged former

Lockheed P-3C Orion
maritime patrol aircraft were delivered to the ROK Navy from 1995.

In June 1993, the ROK Navy Headquarters was relocated from Seoul to the Gyeryongdae complex, the tri-service headquarters in Gyeryong.[31] In November 1999, the ROK Navy completed the construction of Pyeongtaek Naval Operations Base; Commander Second Fleet was relocated from Incheon Naval Base to the newly established base with an operational headquarters.

In October 1998, the ROK Navy hosted its first International Fleet Review in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Korea and its armed forces off coast of Busan and Jinhae. About 60 ships from 12 countries participated in the fleet review including the South Korean navy.[32]

In June 1999, the ROK Navy forces engaged the North Korea naval forces near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the vicinity of Yeonpyeong Island. In June 2002, the two navies engaged again in the same vicinity resulting in the sinking of ROKS Chamsuri 357 (PKM 357).

2000s

The Navy's first locally built AEGIS destroyer, ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991), in formation
Amphibious transport dock, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111)

The ROK Navy continues to put its efforts to build the blue-water navy. In March 2001, President Kim Dae-jung revealed that the Navy will establish the Strategic Task Fleet.[33] Succeeding President Kim, President Roh Moo-hyun also supported the Navy's plan for the Task Fleet to become a blue-water navy.[34] In 2008, the Navy updated its strategic vision for the 2030s as "Navy Vision 2030".[35]

The ROK Navy continued to strengthen the fleet. In 2002, the lead ship (DDH 975) of the 4,500-ton Chungmugong Yi Sunshin-class destroyer was launched. In 2005, the 14,000-ton amphibious landing ship, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111) was launched. In 2006, the ROK Navy launched the lead ship (SS 072) of the 1,800-ton Sohn Wonyil-class submarine, which was named after the first Chief of Naval Operations, equipped with

SPY-1D
multi-function phased array radar. In June 2007, the ROK Navy launched the lead ship (PKG 711) of the Yoon Youngha-class missile boat in honor of the late captain of ROKS Chamsuri 357, which was sunk after an engagement with the North Korean navy in 2002.

The ROK Navy completed the construction of Busan Naval Operations Base in June 2006; Commander Third Fleet was moved to the newly established operational headquarters.

Jinhae had been CINCROKFLT's homeport since 1953.[37]

As part of its mission, the ROK Navy participated in several

2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[39][40]

In 2004, the ROK Navy hosted a multilateral naval exercise – Pacific Reach 2004 – for the first time.

Trafalgar 200
in 2005. The ROK Navy hosted its second international fleet review off coast of Busan in October 2008 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the South Korean government.

On March 26, 2010,

Baengnyeong Island, in the vicinity of the Northern Limit Line (NLL).[42][43]

Present: 2010s

The Cheonghae unit of the multinational naval task force, Combined Task Force 151
ROK naval commandos in a mock assault. They rescued captured tanker's crew from Somali pirates in 2011.

In preparation for an ocean-going navy, the ROK Navy established a task force called Maritime Task Flotilla Seven in February 2010. The task force is responsible for the defense of South Korea against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communication.

Since 2009, a Chungmugong Yi Sunshin-class destroyer from the task force is being deployed as the Escort Task Group (Cheonghae) in response to piracy off the coast of Somalia. On January 21, 2011, naval commandos of the task group carried out an operation, and succeeded in rescuing the crew of the hijacked MV Samho Jewelry.[44] As a humanitarian operation, the unit was dispatched to evacuate South Koreans and foreign nationals from war-torn Libya in 2011 and 2014.[45][46]

In December 2013, as part of the ROK Joint Support Group for the Philippines (the Araw unit), ROKS Birobong (LST 682), ROKS Seonginbong (LST 685), and Marines were deployed in humanitarian response to Typhoon Haiyan.[47]

In February 2016, the ROK Navy completed a new naval base on the southern coast of

Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port because the Jeju Naval Base is designed to be jointly used by military and civilians.[48]

In order to support ocean-going operations, the ROK Navy commissioned the 10,000-ton logistics support ship, ROKS Soyang (AOE 51), and launched the first locally designed 3,000-ton submarine, Dosan Ahn Changho (SS 083) in September 2018.[49]

The ROK Navy continued shipbuilding programs to upgrade the fleet with local shipbuilders. In order to replace the aging

Cheonwangbong-class dock landing ships between 2014 and 2018. In May 2018, the Navy launched the Marado (LPH 6112), which was the second ship of the Dokdo-class amphibious transport dock. In June 2018, the Navy launched a 4,500-ton training ship, the Hansando (ATH 81), which was also designed as a casualty receiving and treatment ship (CRTS).[51]

In October 2018, the Navy hosted its third international fleet review off coast of Jeju Island.[52]

In 2019, the Navy updated its strategic vision for the 100th anniversary of the ROK Navy as "Navy Vision 2045". As part of the vision, Admiral Sim Seung-seob, the Chief of Naval Operations proposed to build an ICT-based, system-driven "Smart Navy".[53]

See also

Notes

Romanization is according to

RR): Chinhae → Jinhae; Inchon → Incheon; Kangnung → Gangneung; Kimpo → Gimpo; Pusan → Busan; Taegu → Daegu
.

References

  1. ^ "대양해군건설". Republic of Korea Navy official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  2. ISBN 89-954424-2-5
    , p.198
  3. ^ Kim, Alexander A. "The problem of interpretation of war between the Tang Empire and Bohai in period 732-735". dash.harvard.edu. Annales d’Université Valahia Targoviste, Section d’Archeologie et d’Histoire. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  4. ^ "역사속의 해군". Republic of Korea Navy official website. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  5. ^ "Korea's Legendary Admiral (PDF Format)" Archived 2007-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. barrystrauss.com. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  6. ^ Ballard, G.A., 1972, The Influence of the Sea on the Political History of Japan., Greenwood Press Reprint, pp. 66–67.
  7. ^ "The First US Naval Attaché to Korea". Central Intelligence Agency official website. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
  8. ^ Kim, Jae-seung (2000). A Hidden History of Royal Corean Navy (한국근대해군창설사). Seoul: Hye-an.
  9. ^ "손원일 중장" Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. War Memorial Museum Official Website. Retrieved May 2, 2007.
  10. ^ "THE FORGOTTEN SERVICE IN THE FORGOTTEN WAR". U.S. Coast Guard official website. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
  11. ^ "Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea: The Early Years (1945 to 1957)". Commander U.S. Naval Forces Korea, U.S. Navy official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  12. ^ "Pak Tu San (Submarine Chaser # PC-701, 1950-1960)" Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  13. ^ "한국해군50년사". Republic of Korea Navy Official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  14. ^ a b "Republic of Korea Navy". Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center official website. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  15. ^ a b c d "Half Century History of the ROK Navy" Archived 2007-09-26 at the Wayback Machine. Republic of Korea Navy official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  16. ^ "6·25전쟁 발발 당일, 우리 해군의 함정 척수 및 병력". 해군 vol. 2003 9-10. Republic of Korea Navy. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  17. ^ "Allied Forces in the Korean War" Archived 2007-07-16 at the Wayback Machine. Department of Defense – Korean War Commemoration website. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  18. ^ "잊혀진 해전". 해군 vol. 2008 1-2. Republic of Korea Navy. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
  19. ^ "Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea: Abbreviated History of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Korea". Commander U.S. Naval Forces Korea, U.S. Navy official website. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
  20. ^ 姜泳勳. (1996). 73艦의 蘇聯 潛水艦 追跡事件. 海洋戰略 vol. 93. South Korea: 海軍大學 pp.1-41.
  21. ^ 베트남전쟁과 한국해군작전 (Vietnam War and ROKN Operations). South Korea: ROK Navy HQ. 2014. p. 254.
  22. ^ "Marta". Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center official website. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
  23. ^ "남북간의 해상전과 남한 방송선 피랍사건" Archived 2007-10-31 at the Wayback Machine. www.ceoi.org by O Wonchol. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
  24. ^ "ROK Army History". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  25. ^ "철모에서 미사일까지<128>첫 독자 개발 소형 잠수함-22-" Archived 2007-10-28 at the Wayback Machine. The Korea Defense Daily. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  26. ^ "해병대 사령부의 해체". 중앙일보 (in Korean). 1973-09-17. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  27. ^ "해군사관학교 제45기 졸업 및 임관식 연설". pa.go.kr (대통령기록연구실). Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  28. ^ "해군사관학교 제49기 졸업 및 임관식 연설(세계평화에 기여하는 대양해군)". pa.go.kr (대통령기록연구실). Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  29. ^ "안병태 전 해군 참모총장 '분노의 전역사'". 시사저널 (in Korean). 1997-04-17. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  30. ^ "21세기 통일한국의 大洋해군 전략". Donga.com. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
  31. ^ "해군본부 대방동시대 마감/33년만에… 육·공군과 함께 계룡대 합류". 중앙일보 (in Korean). 1993-06-17. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  32. ^ "{해군 국제관함식} 바다로, 세계로...". THE HANKOOKILBO. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  33. ^ "김대통령, 해군사관학교 졸업 및 임관식 참석말씀" Archived 2012-12-19 at archive.today. Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library official website. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  34. ^ "해군사관학교 제61기 졸업 및 임관식 치사". pa.go.kr (대통령기록연구실). Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  35. ^ "해군의 힘, 대한민국의 미래입니다". www.kims.or.kr. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  36. ^ "해군,「부산 작전기지」준공". Republic of Korea Navy Official website. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  37. ^ "작전명 일출 … 해작사 부산상륙"[permanent dead link]. Joins.com. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  38. ^ "해군작전사령부 창설 54주년..어제와 오늘 그리고 미래"[permanent dead link]. Ministry of National Defense Official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  39. ^ "해군 '제중부대', 구호 장비 및 물품 싣고 1월 14일 부산항 출항" (in Korean). 2005-01-11. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  40. ^ "비로봉함, 스리랑카에서 구호물자 인계". www.korea.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  41. ^ "PACIFIC REACH". Republic of Korea Navy official website. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  42. ^ Adam Brookes (2010-05-20). "'North Korean torpedo' sank South's navy ship – report". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2010-05-30. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  43. ^ "North Korea denies sinking warship; South Korea vows strong response". CNN.com. May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  44. ^ "South Koreans pull off daring rescue of pirated ship". CNN. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  45. ^ "리비아 트리폴리서 교민 구출, 최영함 조영주 함장 "해적 퇴치 이어 교민 철수작전 큰 영광"". news.kmib.co.kr (in Korean). 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  46. ^ "리비아서 교민 449명 철수… 문무대왕함 파견 이송 완료". news.khan.co.kr (in Korean). 2014-08-17. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  47. ^ "Araw Unit completes rescue mission in Philippines". koreatimes. 2014-12-23. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  48. ^ "[제주해군기지 준공] 대양해군 전초기지 역할 '톡톡'". jeju.news1.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  49. ^ "3천t급 잠수함 '도산안창호함' 진수식…2022년 1월 실전배치". Yonhap News. 2018-09-13. Archived from the original on 2018-09-14. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  50. ^ "2천800t급 차기호위함 '대구함' 해군에 인도…함대지유도탄 탑재". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  51. ^ "해군 최초 훈련함 '한산도함' 역사적 진수". Kookbang Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2018-11-18. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  52. ^ "Republic of Korea Navy International Fleet Review 2018". Republic of Korea Navy. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  53. ^ 국방일보. ""4차 산업혁명 기반 스마트 해군 도약에 통찰력"". 국방일보. Retrieved 2019-03-09.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_the_Republic_of_Korea_Navy&oldid=1221845712"