RCN Welcomes Republic of Korea Navy

The Republic of Korea Navy arrived at CFB Esquimalt on Oct. 1 with a welcome ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the ROKN Cruise Training Task Group’s 16th visit to Canada. Photo: Master Corporal William Gosse

Paul Dagonese, 
Staff Writer, Lookout Newspaper 

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A Golden Era of Cooperation

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) welcomed the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) training war ship, ROKS Hansando (ATH-81) to CFB Esquimalt on Tuesday, Oct. 1. To honour the arrival of the ship to the Pacific Coast and mark Korean Armed Forces Day with our Allies, a welcome ceremony was held as the visitors came ashore.

Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Christopher Robinson, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), opened the ceremony by highlighting the importance of the RCN and ROKN’s alliance to safeguarding Maritime security and global stability.

“A regular program of visits and exchanges, on a Navy-to-Navy basis, strengthens our bonds between the Navies and lays the groundwork for continuing collaboration and understanding,” RAdm Robinson said.

Marking a poignant moment for the ROKN and Korea’s people, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver, Jongho Kyun, opened greetings on behalf of South Korea. He acknowledged the day as being Korean Armed Forces Day, significant to Korean nationalism because it commemorates how they and allied forces broke the 38th parallel. That day and the parallel established a definitive border between North and South Korea, a border which today remains present and secure.

Kyun shared Rear-Admiral Robinson’s sentiment for a strong Canadian and Korean alliance.

“Korea and Canada now enjoy a Golden Era of cooperation,” he said. “It’s a foundation that was laid by the 27,000 brave Canadian soldiers who fought in the Korean War”.

Kyun also honoured Canada and Korea’s collaborative past and alluded to the growing need to strengthen their alliance further. He gave appreciation to the RCN’s commitment to send HMCS Vancouver to the Korean Peninsula in 2022 to help pressure the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea (NK), resolutions that condemned NK’s nuclear and ballistic activity in the Asia Pacific.

Closing remarks were given by RAdm Dong Lae Kim, Commanding Officer of the ROKS Hansando.

“Never forget,” he said as he acknowledged Canada’s support.

RAdm Kim is in command of ROKS Hansando while it embarks on its eight-nation, 110 day, 10 port training mission. The Hansando and its 520 troops are part of the Cruise Training Task Group (CTTG), working in collaboration with the RCN and other nations. Oct. 1 marked 70 years since CTTG’s inception, an initiative to commemorate the end of the Korean War.

ROKN’s four-day visit in Victoria included attending Victoria’s Korean War Memorial to attend a wreath laying ceremony and hosting an on-board reception with local war veterans to express sentiments of gratitude and peace.

The welcoming ceremony closed out with the ROKN extending invitations to distinguished guests and RCN officials for a tea reception and tour aboard ROKS Hansando.

Republic of Korea Navy ROKS Hansando passes Duntze Head on Oct. 1. Photo: Sailor 3rd Class Veni Colico