At RIMPAC, Korea’s newest warships signal Navy’s growing role
HONOLULU — “Possible enemy missile launch detected.” The announcement echoed through the combat information center aboard the ROKS Jeongjo the Great and conversations stopped instantly. Sailors fixed their eyes on rows of tactical displays as a simulated missile track appeared on the main screen. Another order came seconds later. “SM-2 interceptor launch in 10 seconds.” The countdown ended. Operators continued working quietly at their consoles while the missile icon closed on its target. A few moments later, another voice broke the silence. “Target disappeared from radar.” The engagement lasted only minutes. It was only a simulation ahead of the sea phase of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), but inside the Republic of Korea Navy’s newest Aegis destroyer, there was little to distinguish the drill from combat. The scene aboard Jeongjo the Great captures how far the Korean Navy has come since sending two frigates to its first RIMPAC in 1990. This year, nearly all of the country's newest major naval assets have converged at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam — the 8,200-ton
