China’s West Sea encroachments demand stronger Korean Navy

Naval vessels parade in formation at sea with an air show by naval aircraft in waters off Busan. Friday. The Fleet Review was held to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Korea Navy. Yonhap

BUSAN — Eighty stun grenades, dropped from a P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, lit up the cloudy skies over Busan on Thursday. The dramatic aerial bursts wowed hundreds of spectators watching the air show from aboard the 4,900-ton amphibious ship Ilchulbong.

The number of grenades, also known as flash-bangs, symbolized the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, celebrated with a grand fleet review in the southeastern port city.

Out at sea, another display of power unfolded as 31 naval vessels paraded in formation, led by the 8,100-ton Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great. From the deck of Ilchulbong, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil saluted each passing warship as its crew returned the gesture.

“A naval event of this scale would have been unimaginable 80 years ago,” said Capt. Oh Se-sung, a senior public affairs official of the ROK Navy headquarters. “At that time, Korea had virtually no naval infrastructure. The ROK Navy was built from nothing.”

Established in 1945 after Korea’s liberation from 36 years of Japanese colonial rule, Korea has grown into one of the world’s major naval powers, Capt. Oh noted, expressing pride in its eight decades of remarkable progress.

Thursday’s event drew journalists and U.S. military officials.

Citizens invited to the fleet review watch the parade of naval vessels. Yonhap

Fleet reviews have long been a favorite event among citizens, offering not only thrilling air and sea spectacles but also a rare chance to explore warships up close. Capt. Oh pointed out another hidden attraction: “From the ship’s deck, you can enjoy sweeping views of the sea. If the weather were clear, you could even spot Tsushima Island in Japan.”

Fleet reviews are rare, and have only been held seven times — including last week — since the Navy’s founding in 1945. Admission is highly competitive, with citizens selected through a lottery system that sailors familiar with the process described as “fiercely contested.”

Thursday’s event served as a rehearsal for the official fleet review, which was held the following day.

In his speech at Friday’s ceremony, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back emphasized the vital role of maritime security in sustaining global trade. “Around 99.7 percent of Korea’s trade with foreign countries depends on sea lanes. In that sense, it is no exaggeration to say that waterways are the lifeline of this country,” he said.

The defense minister also highlighted Korea’s world-class naval power, noting the diverse range of advanced warships and aircraft now in service.

Lt. Yoo In-sang, a public affairs officer of the Navy, underscored the strategic importance of naval vessels. “Warships enjoy sovereign immunity in foreign ports,” he explained. “The more naval vessels we have, the more sovereign territory the nation effectively controls.”

According to the Global Naval Powers Ranking 2025 published by the World Directory of Modern Military Warships (WDMMW), the ROK Navy ranks fifth in the world. The United States leads the list, followed by China and Russia.

WDMMW uses a metric called the True Value Rating to evaluate naval capabilities, factoring in not only fleet size but also modernization, logistical capacity and combat readiness. The U.S. Navy scored 319.8 out of a maximum 323.9 points, remaining the undisputed global leader. China followed with 242.3 points, while South Korea scored 122.9.

A steel structure installed by China in the Provisional Measures Zone of the West Sea is seen in this photo released, April 24. Yonhap

The fleet review took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Korea and China over maritime sovereignty.

In 2018, China installed a steel structure known as Shenlan 1 inside the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) of the West Sea. The PMZ was created under a 2001 bilateral agreement between Korea and China to manage disputes in overlapping exclusive economic zones. Under the terms of the agreement, activities other than fishing are strictly prohibited. China’s construction of Shenlan 1 in the zone was, therefore, a clear violation of the agreement.

South Korea lodged formal protests, demanding the removal of the structure. China refused, claiming it was an aquaculture facility related to fishing activities.

Since then, Beijing has expanded its footprint, adding two more Shenlan-class structures — including a repurposed offshore oil rig now serving as a management hub — and 13 floating buoys. China has repeatedly ignored Seoul’s demands to remove them and has threatened to build 10 more. In May, it unilaterally declared several temporary no-sail zones within the PMZ to conduct drills involving the aircraft carrier Fujian.

China’s maritime provocations in the West Sea echo its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. There, the country initially claimed to have built weather stations on artificial islands, which later transformed into major military outposts. Satellite imagery reviewed by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows that China has constructed 26 military bases, including airfields, across the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

China’s persistent efforts to advance its maritime claims in disputed waters have raised serious concern in Korea.

A closer look at the timeline of China’s construction activity in the West Sea reveals a troubling pattern: Beijing has exploited Korea’s political circumstances to push its agenda.

In 2018, when China built Shenlan 1 inside the PMZ, South Korea’s president was Moon Jae-in, who, like his progressive predecessors, sought to rebalance Seoul’s relations between the U.S. and China and improve Seoul-Beijing relations.

China accelerated construction again when South Korea was thrown into political turmoil following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 and his impeachment by the Constitutional Court in April.

Experts warn that diplomacy alone cannot deter China’s maritime ambitions or prevent future encroachments on Korea’s sovereignty. A stronger maritime defense is seen as essential.

Military strategists are calling for enhanced naval capabilities, particularly in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance functions. These capabilities have grown increasingly important as the Navy integrates artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to modernize its naval assets.

On Sept. 14, President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the need for elite forces equipped with cutting-edge systems, noting that the size of the military is no longer the key determinant of military strength. On social media, he cited the development of “manned and unmanned complex systems” (MUCS) as a potential solution for future warfare.

Although Lee did not elaborate, MUCS typically refers to the coordination of manned and unmanned assets — such as drones gathering intelligence and sharing real-time data with manned helicopters — to conduct precision operations efficiently.