Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at the finance desk of The Korea Times, focuses primarily on economic policy and government agencies, mainly covering the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the National Tax Service and the Korea Customs Service. She previously covered financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, and earlier worked on the political, city and business desks, reporting on a wide range of issues.
Navy unveils newest type submarine
Defense Minister Han Min-koo, second from right, and his wife Kwak Jung-im break a bottle of champagne during the launching ceremony for the Navy’s sixth 1,800-ton submarine, the ROKN Yu Gwan-sun, in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. / Courtesy of Navy
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
The Navy unveiled a state-of-the-art attack submarine Thursday named after the revered independence fighter Yu Gwan-sun (1902-1920).
The launching ceremony for the Navy’s sixth 1,800-ton submarine took place in the southern coastal city of Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. Attendees included Defense Minister Han Min-koo, Chief of Naval Operations Jung Ho-sub and executives of ship-maker Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.
The launch drew keen attention as it was the first sub named after a woman.
Yu was one of the main organizers of the March First Independence Movement in 1919 against Japanese colonial rule who died at the age of 18 after being tortured.
“The military decided to name the submarine after Yu to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the nation’s independence from Japanese colonial rule and honor Yu’s sacrifice,” the Navy said in a statement.
“The decision also celebrates the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Navy and raises public awareness about national security.”
The Navy said the new submarine will greatly strengthen its underwater capabilities against threats from North Korea.
The Navy plans to officially commission the submarine in November 2016.
The sub measures 65.3 meters in length and 6.3 meters in width, and can carry up to 40 crewmembers. It is armed with indigenous ship-to-ship cruise missiles called Haeseongs, or Sea Stars, and torpedoes and mines for anti-vessel and anti-submarine operations, according to the Navy.
“The cruise missiles are capable of carrying out precision strikes against enemies’ key facilities,” it said.
The submarine’s maximum underwater speed is 20 knots, which enables it to travel between South Korea and Hawaii without refueling, the Navy added.
The diesel-powered submarine will be operated by Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), which bolsters the vessel’s submerged endurance and allows the crew to carry out underwater missions for up to two weeks without access to atmospheric oxygen.
The Navy inaugurated its first submarine command on Feb. 1 to boost combat readiness against Pyongyang.
It currently operates nine 1,200-ton submarines and four 1,800-ton subs.
The Navy plans to add five more 1,800-ton submarines to be built by 2019 and deploy nine 3,000-ton submarines capable of launching ballistic missiles in the 2020s.
The Navy’s move comes as North Korea is maintaining a significant numerical superiority with its fleet of 70 subs, about 20 of them being in the 1,800-ton Romeo class.
Recent reports have it that the North is putting the finishing touches on an upgraded version of the Soviet-designed Romeo that it has converted into being capable of vertically launching missiles.
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