Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

 [Navy] ‘Hand in hand’ a calling to protect our maritime areas

On May 31st which is the ‘22nd Sea Day,’ the Navy announced that ‘Sea Week’ will be held from May 29th to June 2nd, and each unit will be involved in various activities.

In the wake of Sea Week, the Navy pledges to fulfill its role of supporting the maritime defense of the Korean seas as well as the marine policies of the government. The navy will promote various events and support activities with civilian, government and military forces.

The Incheon Marine Corps Defense Command held the '20th Sea Drawing Contest,' which was participated in by 5,000 people including kindergarten, elementary school students, parents, and teachers from Incheon Port Harbor Port on May 27th to commemorate the Day of the Sea. There were also various activities that took place, including a battleship showing event, performances of the naval band and honor guard, and more.

The Submarine Command and the Jinhae Base Command carried out marine floating and garbage collection activities on May 30th, under the supervision of the division that works on Jinhae Port for each dock. The 5th Navy Component Flotilla engaged in dock and coastal cleansing activities in Jinhae port, and also worked to clean up the underwater environment with around 30 SSU (Ship Salvage Unit) soldiers.

The 3rd Fleet Command did coastal environment clean up activities near Mokpo port by cooperating with the Mokpo Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, working on May 30th with approximately 60 sailors and civilian workers. On May 31st, the operations command developed a joint civilian-military environment cleanup activity project, consisting of around 50 soldiers of the Busan Base Squadron, civilian workers and members of an environmental group on the sea shore near the Oryukdo dock. The 1st Fleet Command will also develop a joint civilian-military environment cleanup activity project near Mukho port, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do, with around 40 soldiers and civilian workers. 20 soldiers from the SSU and UDT/SEAL will conduct underwater purification cleanup activities near the naval port.

The 2nd Fleet Command will carry out environmental cleanup activities in the western part of Pyeongtaeck port in Gyeonggi province on the 31st of May, while supporting Hwaseong Boating Festival for various events that will be held at Jeongok port, Hwaseong-si, from June 1st to 4th, including activities such as a battleship fleet tour and performances of naval band and honor guard. On June 1st, the Naval Education and Training Command will organize a cleanup on the Jinhae coast along with 100 soldiers and civil servants. Prior to this, on May 29th around 40 ROTC cadets from Pukyong National University, a subordinate of the Naval Education and Training Command, engaged in cleanup activities on Gwangalli Beach, a famous tourist spot in Busan.

This 22nd Sea Day is a legal holiday established in 1996, when Korea emerged as a maritime power and inspired the Korean people to live the spirit of the ocean. This day is also meaningful, since Ambassador Jang Bogo of the Unified Silla period established Cheonghaejin.

By Ah-Mi, Cho <joajoa@dema.mil.kr>

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