ROK Navy commissions 1st female submariners

Lieutenant Sung Ju-bin, left, and Lieutenant Yoo Hyo-jin take part in submarine control center training. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Navy

Korea has officially commissioned its first-ever female submariners, becoming the 14th nation to include women in submarine crews.

The Republic of Korea Navy said on Friday that nine female submariners — two officers and seven noncommissioned officers — completed the rigorous submarine basic training program, along with another 116 sailors, in a graduation ceremony at the Jinhae Naval Base.

The inclusion of female sailors in submarine crews followed a decision made during a naval policy meeting in July 2022, which aimed to expand opportunities for female service members. The recruitment process took place between January and March last year, with the nine successfully selected after physical examinations and interviews.

The newly commissioned female submariners are set to play integral roles in operating the 3,000-ton class medium-sized submarines, including the ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho and the Ahn Mu.

Their assignments cover a range of critical responsibilities, such as combat information gathering, navigation, sonar operation, electronics management and propulsion system maintenance.

Republic of Korea Navy's Dosan Ahn Changho-class sumbarine / Courtesy of Republic of Korea Navy

Lieutenant Yoo Hyo-jin, who is assuming the role of combat information officer on the Dosan Ahn Changho, exemplified the dedication and accomplishments of the first female submariners.

"With a profound sense of duty, I will safeguard the seas of Korea alongside submarine comrades. In the face of provocation, we will respond immediately and decisively under the strong spirit of winning, relentlessly retaliating to eliminate the enemy," Yoo said.

She entered the Naval Academy in 2015 and was subsequently chosen as an exchange student at the U.S. Naval Academy, completing the education program there from 2016 to 2020.

Korea's move to integrate female sailors into submarine crews reflects a global trend that began in 1985 in Norway.

The expansion of female participation in submarine operations now spans 13 other countries, including Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, Spain, Germany, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Argentina, France, Netherlands and Japan.