Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

An Yang Ham (PCC), the 1,000-ton class patrol ship made by our own technology, embarked on the protection of Colombian waters.

The Korean Navy had a free-handover ceremony on July 30 to transfer the retired vessel to the Colombian Navy at a naval base in Jinhae.

At this ceremony held under the supervision of Vice Admiral Jung Ho-seob, an operations command, many people were in attendance including a member of the National Defense Committee, Kim Seong-chan, the former Chief of Naval Operations, Colombia ambassador to Korea, Pinilla, Vice Admiral Amaya, Colombian chief of staff for operations, a captain of the taken-over ship and sailors, and relevant officials for the transferring project.

Colombia is the only country in Latin America that sent a frigate and 5,100 troops to Korea during the 6·25 Korean War. Since we established diplomatic ties with Colombia in 1962, both countries have been expanding their cooperative relations in various areas such as economy and energy.

An Yang Ham is to be recorded as the first patrol-class warship handed over to an overseas country. Commissioned in December 1983, it had protected the East/West/South Coastal Area for 28 years, and honorably retired in September, 2011. Then it continued its mission as a training ship of the war-preparation group, Naval Operations Command, and was reborn as “Nariño”.

The Colombian Navy named the vessel “Nariño” after Antonio Nariño, who was an independentista, revolutionist and vice president, to honor him.

Three civilian employees of the Naval Logistics Command are on board, supporting maintenance work until they arrive in Colombia. Nariño will reach Colombia at the end of September after its long trip via the U.S. and Mexico, then carry out all coastal guard duties. It is first time that the domestic patrol vessel crosses the Pacific Ocean and makes the long journey to the South American continent.

This handover of An Yang Ham was realized according to a transfer agreement between both the Korean and Colombian Defense Ministries concluded on July 23 of last year. The maintenance depot of the Naval Logistics Command (NLC) provided the military maintenance as well as contract maintenance work conducted by Colombia for nine months since last October to improve An Yang Ham’s performance.

Around 70 Colombian naval pre-sailors and maintenance personnel entered Korea in last April and have received educational training regarding maintenance and operation of the vessel.

Navy Chief Hwang Ki-chul visited the site on July 24 to encourage the transfer-relevant officials and check out its preparation.

He mentioned that the meaning of the handover of An Yang Ham was to return thanks to a combatant nation and asked to make a great effort for improvement of equipment performance, safety checkup and educational training to have the vessel and sailors complete their mission in Colombia.

“I am very pleased to see our effort for protection of the freedom of Republic of Korea 60 years ago come to this great favor. The handover of An Yang Ham will be a chance to enhance friendly relations between Korea and Colombia,” said Captain Cubillos.

By Byeong-No, Yun < trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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