First US Navy promotion ceremony held aboard Korean naval ship

Officers from the Korean and U.S. navies take part in the first-ever onboard promotion ceremony held between the two nations, aboard the ROKS Gyeongnam at the Busan Operations Base, Friday. Yonhap

For the first time in history, a promotion ceremony for U.S. Navy personnel was held aboard a Korean naval ship, highlighting the steadfast friendship and solidarity between the two allied navies.

The ceremony took place Friday, aboard the newly commissioned frigate ROKS Gyeongnam (FFG-II), docked at the Busan Operational Base. This event, organized jointly by the Republic of Korea Navy and the U.S. Naval Forces Korea, honored U.S. Navy officers who have significantly contributed to enhancing the combined defense posture of both nations. It was attended by approximately 40 personnel from both navies and the families and friends of the honorees. The ceremony included the recitation of the promotion oath, the presentation of new rank insignia and expressions of gratitude from the newly promoted officers.

Among the promoted officers was Commander Jonathan Park, a Korean American who reconnected with Korea during his tenure as a protocol officer for U.S. Naval Forces Korea from 2013 to 2014. His diverse experience in the U.S. Navy culminated in his return to Korea in December as acting operations officer, where he played a pivotal role in planning the trilateral Freedom Edge exercise with the Korean and Japanese navies, bolstering their coordinated response capabilities to security threats.

This historic ceremony symbolizes the evolving relationship between the Korea and U.S. navies, which have been key guardians of maritime security for 71 years. The combined working system for integrated maritime operations, established following the relocation of the U.S. Naval Forces Korea headquarters from central Seoul's Yongsan District to the southern port city of Busan in February 2016, has enabled both navies to respond jointly to various maritime security challenges.