Navy Says "Sufficient Opinion Gathering Needed" for Renaming Hong Beom-do Ship

Some Opposition Voices Emerge at the Meeting of Former Navy Chiefs of Staff

The Navy has expressed the position that "sufficient opinion gathering is necessary" regarding discussions within the ruling party about changing the name of the submarine Hong Beom-do. While the policy remains unchanged that there is currently no plan to consider renaming the vessel, there has been a slight shift toward the stance that 'opinion gathering' is needed.

On the 11th, Jang Do-young, head of the Navy's Seoul Public Relations Team, explained the results of the former Navy Chiefs of Naval Operations Policy Advisory Meeting held on the 9th during a regular briefing at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Jang stated, "Currently, the Navy is not reviewing the renaming of the Hong Beom-do," but added, "However, there are various opinions both inside and outside the organization." He continued, "We believe it is necessary to take sufficient time and gather diverse opinions.".

The seventh Son Won-il-class submarine, 'Hong Beom-do'

This position of the Navy is subtly different from the statement made on the 28th of last month, which said, "Currently, the Navy is not reviewing the establishment or change of the Hong Beom-do's name." Additionally, when asked whether any related directive had been issued through the Ministry of National Defense to review the renaming, Jang replied, "There was no such directive."

Recently, following the decision to relocate the bust of General Hong Beom-do within the Korea Military Academy due to his activities in the Soviet Communist Party, voices have emerged within the ruling party as well as government and military circles suggesting that the name of the Hong Beom-do should also be changed. On the 31st of last month, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated at the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee plenary session, "I think it is inappropriate to name a warship after someone who was a member of the Communist Party," and added, "I believe a revision should be considered." Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup also said in a response at the National Assembly on the 4th, "I think it is necessary to consider reviewing the name of the Hong Beom-do."

Meanwhile, about ten former Chiefs of Naval Operations held a policy advisory meeting on the 9th, and it is known that some opposed the movement to change the name of the Hong Beom-do. Former Chief of Naval Operations Hwang Ki-chul emphasized, "For the Navy, a ship is like a home or parents, so changing the name of a ship is a very important issue," and added, "It is necessary to respect the Navy's culture and identity."

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