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South Korean Destroyer Joins US Fleet Review, Training

A South Korean naval destroyer, ROKS Munmu the Great, will depart Jeju Island to join an international fleet review in New York from July 3-8. The warship will also participate in multinational field training hosted by the US Second Fleet on the east coast of Virginia. The destroyer will conduct promotional activities in Mexico and Colombia, and honor Korean War veterans during port calls. Meanwhile, defense chiefs of South Korea and the US are set to discuss wartime operational control transfer and nuclear submarine acquisition.

Key Points: S. Korea Navy Destroyer US Fleet Review Training

  • South Korean destroyer to join US fleet review in New York
  • Warship to participate in multinational field training in Virginia
  • Training hosted by US Second Fleet with 18 countries
  • Destroyer to conduct promotional activities and honor Korean War veterans
2 min read

South Korea's Naval destroyer to participate in fleet review, international field training in US

South Korean destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great will join a US-hosted fleet review and multinational field training in New York and Virginia, also honoring Korean War veterans.

"The warship is among some 100 other naval vessels of around 50 countries participating in the fleet review - Yonhap news agency"

Washington/Seoul, May 11 A South Korean naval destroyer will participate in a fleet review and multinational field exercise in the United States over the next two months, the Navy said Monday.

The 4,400-ton ROKS Munmu the Great destroyer will leave a naval base on Jeju Island later in the day to take part in an international fleet review in New York, scheduled for July 3-8, the Navy said in a release.

The warship is among some 100 other naval vessels of around 50 countries participating in the fleet review, including Canada, Britain, Japan and Spain, reports Yonhap news agency.

Ahead of the fleet review, the warship will take part in multinational field training at the end of next month. It will be held on the east coast of Norfolk in Virginia, home to a key US naval base.

The field exercise will be hosted by the US Second Fleet, responsible for operations on the East Coast and in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Joining the training will be about 30 naval vessels from 18 countries, including Brazil, France and Britain.

The Munmu the Great, named after a king of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-935 AD), will also conduct promotional activities for South Korean naval ships and weapons systems at port calls in Mexico and Colombia.

On its way home, the destroyer plans to make port calls in the Colombian city of Cartagena and San Diego in the US to carry out activities honouring veterans who fought alongside South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Meanwhile, the top defence chiefs of South Korea and the United States were set to hold talks in Washington on Monday, focusing on advancing the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul and Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

M
Michael C
50 countries participating? That's a lot of firepower in one place. 😅 The ROKS Munmu the Great sounds impressive. These exercises really showcase global cooperation, though I wonder about the real strategic message being sent to certain nations.
V
Vikram M
Interesting that they're also visiting Mexico and Colombia for promotional activities. South Korea is clearly expanding its defence exports footprint in Latin America. India should take note—our naval systems and shipbuilding capabilities could also find markets there.
A
Aditya G
One concern: while these exercises boost interoperability, excessive US-led drills in Asia-Pacific can sometimes escalate tensions unnecessarily. India should maintain our independent foreign policy, balancing ties with all major powers. Let's not get sucked into everyone's rivalries.
T
Tanya I
Korea's destroyer named after the great King Munmu—such history behind it! The Korean War veterans tribute part is heartwarming. 🇮🇳 India also has a history with Korea (through the Korean War medical mission). Such gestures strengthen old bonds.
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Benjamin I
The OPCON transfer discussion is crucial for Seoul. Giving them full wartime control is a big step in their sovereignty. But with North Korea's threats, it's a risky move. India's position on denuclearisation remains consistent—we support peaceful resolution.
S
Sarah B

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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