"South Korean Navy Needs 3 to 6 Strategic Submarines"

Kim Pangyu, Former Navy Vice Chief of Staff, Keynote Speaker at Submarine Association 10th Anniversary Seminar
Discussion on Naval Power Development Directions at Submarine Association 10th Anniversary Seminar

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A forum was held to explore naval power development strategies in response to North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) threats and the maritime power expansion of neighboring countries.

The Korea Defense Security Forum and the Republic of Korea Submarine Federation held a seminar on the theme of "Naval Power Development Direction" on the morning of the 19th at the Navy Hotel to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Submarine Federation's founding.

The first presenter, Professor Kim Deok-gi of the Korea Naval Academy, cited China's continuous efforts to internalize the East China Sea, including the West Sea and Ieodo, as a maritime security challenge factor.

Professor Kim stated, "China is accumulating legal grounds under international law through Ieodo exploration, map notation, and expanded maritime and aerial patrols," and predicted, "Based on the accumulated grounds and maritime power, China is expected to continuously expand effective control over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and use it in maritime boundary delimitation negotiations." He also pointed out that China is attempting to internalize the West Sea by claiming operational areas up to 124 degrees east longitude within our EEZ and repeatedly deploying warships further east.

Professor Kim Pan-gyu of Sejong University (former Vice Chief of Naval Staff) suggested that 3 to 6 strategic submarines, such as nuclear-powered submarines, are necessary to respond to North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

Professor Kim said, "A prompt national decision is needed to secure Jangbogo-III Batch III," and recommended, "We should first pursue the acquisition of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN), followed by nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN)."

The seminar held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Submarine Federation's founding was attended by former Chiefs of Naval Staff An Byung-tae, Nam Hae-il, Choi Yoon-hee, Hwang Ki-chul, Eom Hyun-sung, Shim Seung-seop, and Bu Seok-jong; former Kuwaiti Ambassador Song Geun-ho; Hwang Jeong-o, Director of Defense Ministry Reform Promotion; Park Chang-sik, Director of Defense Public Relations; Jeon Yong-gyu, Head of the Korean Submarine Project Group at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; Kang Byung-joo, former Director of Resource Management at the Ministry of National Defense; and Yoo Jon-ha, Director of the Maritime Technology Research Institute at the Agency for Defense Development.

Kim Hyuk-soo, Chairman of the Submarine Federation, gave the opening remarks; Hyun In-taek, President of the Korea Defense Security Forum, delivered the welcome address; Lee Hun-seung, Chairman of the National Assembly Defense Committee, and Greenert, Chairman of the U.S. Submarine League, gave congratulatory speeches respectively; and Admiral Lee Jong-ho, Chief of Naval Staff, delivered the keynote speech.

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