South Korean Navy Departs for Rim of the Pacific Exercise
The South Korean Navy’s latest destroyer, the ROKS Wang Geon (8,200 tons), has set sail for the multinational maritime exercise ‘Rim of the Pacific’ (RIMPAC), a significant event led by the United States. The vessel departed its naval base on June 1st, bound for Hawaii, where it will participate in the drills through the end of July.
This marks the ROKS Wang Geon’s first RIMPAC participation since its commissioning in December 2024. Accompanying the destroyer are the 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine, a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, the 4,900-ton Sangju-class landing ship tank, the 3,100-ton Ulsan-class frigate, and approximately 700 personnel from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
About RIMPAC
Now in its 30th iteration, RIMPAC is a multinational training exercise designed to enhance the ability of participating nations to cooperate in maritime security, address maritime threats, and improve combined operational capabilities. The exercise is held biennially, spearheaded by the U.S. Third Fleet, and this year includes participation from 31 countries. South Korea has been a consistent participant since 1990, making this its 19th appearance.
South Korea Takes on Key Leadership Role
A notable development in this year’s RIMPAC is the assignment of Rear Admiral Kim In-ho, commander of the ROK Navy’s Maritime Task Flotilla, to the role of Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC). This is the first time a nation other than the United States has held the CFMCC position. It is also the fourth time in the exercise’s history that a non-U.S. nation has assumed this command, and the first instance for an Asian country.
The CFMCC is responsible for commanding multinational naval forces, including carrier strike groups, and planning and executing maritime operations. Rear Admiral Kim expressed that South Korea’s progression from participating in the 2024 exercise as a deputy commander to now leading as commander signifies a significant advancement for the ROK Navy. He stated, “The South Korean Navy’s capabilities will be fully demonstrated, establishing the prestige of the ‘precise navy that protects the nation’ on a global stage.””
