Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“It’s my pleasure to meet you all of the Cheonghae and Akh unit. I feel a lump in my throat to see you dispatched soldiers on our fleet, Dae Jo Yeong Ham, here in the UAE. You are riding out a high wave under the hot sun and spending all your energy for the country and people, leaving your home and beloved families behind. I give a big, sincere hand to your hard work.”

President Park Geun-hye, who is on a tour around the Middle East, visited Cheonghae unit, the 17th Dae Jo Yeong Ham, HHD-II, in Zayed port, Abu Dhabi, on March 6 to encourage the 17th and 18th soldiers of the Cheonghae unit shifting their assignments and the 8th Akh unit. 

She was wearing dark blue pants and a khaki navy jumper and had a conversation with soldiers in the helicopter hanger, after watching a five-minute video about the action state of the Cheonghae unit. 

She cheered the soldiers up by saying that how much the soldiers missed their families and friends during the Lunar New Year holiday a few days earlier.

President Park continued, “It is so good that you are reliable, healthy and bright while conducting your missions despite all these hard circumstances.”

The president offered praise to the soldiers of Cheonghae, saying, “Thanks to Operation Dawn of the Gulf of Aden, you’ve earned plaudits from the people. And when the Libyan civil war got worse in August last year, you rescued our people and all the foreigners as well. You have not only raised our nation’s status but received honorable mention internationally.”

She also rated highly the activities the Akh unit has carried out, saying, “There are endless compliments from the crown prince and other people. You have opened new prospects in the field of national defense diplomacy and strengthened the defensive cooperation by using your superior capability. You are also a great help for cooperation even in other areas.”

“Each of you is a national representative of Korea and the activity you are performing here is a source of pride for the people. I hope you continue trying your level best to complete missions with a greater sense of duty and pride. I will always support you in Korea,” said President Park.

It was a Sergeant Major-to-be, Kim Jung-ho, an attack leader of the stop and search group, who first spoke from among the soldiers.

He was the assistant of the attack team during the operation and said, “I was a little nervous back then, but my fellow soldiers and I could lead the successful operation since we receive actual training routinely and have a strong faith in each other. During this dispatch period, we have perfectly conducted our missions based on thorough preparation.”

Captain Jung Yeon-jin, who introduced herself as the best beauty of Cheonghae, said, “I have been so proud of my father, a military man, since I was a child. So I followed his path into a military career. We female soldiers dutifully completed our education and training in the Navy so that we could finish our missions without any difficulty. We keep trying to do our best to be great female leaders just like the President.”

President Park asked Captain Jung if there is any special know-how to maintain military discipline, and she answered that the precision and delicacy unique to women were the secret.

After the meeting, the President showed herself to the deck and asked soldiers who were waiting for a commemorative photograph with her to keep trying their best with a sense of responsibility and duty. “About 1,000 dispatched soldiers are doing their best to protect happiness and peace for humanity around the world. Please always remember you have Korea behind your back and you are the biggest source of pride for the people,” she said.