Captain Seok Haegyun: "Never Give Up Under Any Circumstances"

Hero of the Gulf of Aden, Captain Seok Hae-gyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] "I want you all to remember that no matter the situation, if you never give up and keep challenging yourself, you can achieve your goals." This was the message from Seok Hae-gyun (67), the "Indomitable Man" and former captain of the Samho Jewelry, who miraculously survived being shot by pirates during the 2011 'Aden Bay Dawn Operation' in his farewell lecture.

Seok, who has served as a Level 3 security education instructor at the Navy Leadership Center under the Navy Education Command for the past eight years, gave his farewell lecture to navy personnel on the 29th at the Jinhae Navy Education Command. Since his appointment as a security education instructor in June 2012, Seok has conducted over 500 maritime security education sessions, drawing on his 20 years of experience as a seaman, his special experiences during the Aden Bay operation, and his service as a navy non-commissioned officer from 1970 to 1975. Seok will retire on the 31st of this month.

Before the retirement ceremony, Seok, along with Navy Education Command Commander Kim Hyun-il, paid a farewell visit to the Choi Young ship, which played a key role during the Aden Bay Dawn Operation. Welcomed warmly by the crew, he toured the ship under the guidance of Captain Kang Myung-gil (Colonel), reminiscing about the Aden Bay operation and the honorary captain appointment ceremony, recalling the memories he shared with the Choi Young at that time.

Seok reflected, "From starting as a navy non-commissioned officer, through the Aden Bay Dawn Operation, to now retiring as a navy security education instructor, the navy has been with me at the most important moments of my life." He added, "I am grateful to the navy for allowing me to meaningfully conclude nearly 50 years of life at sea."

He then delivered his final lecture in front of the Choi Young crew. He began, "Right after the Aden Bay Dawn Operation, I could only walk with the help of crutches, but with the belief that 'it can be done,' I exercised daily, and now my health has improved enough to run a lap around the unit's training ground track." He urged, "I want you all to remember that no matter the situation, if you never give up and keep challenging yourself, you can achieve your goals."

The Choi Young crew responded with warm applause and bouquets to send off Seok, who is leaving the navy, honoring the 'hero' who led the Aden Bay Dawn Operation to success. Seok, with tears in his eyes, said, "I feel very honored to be able to give my final lecture on the Choi Young, the main ship of the Aden Bay Dawn Operation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.