Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

For the success of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, a marine torch relay involving a destroyer will be carried out. The Korean mobile helicopter, Surion, will be used for the air transport of the torch relay. This marine torch relay involving a destroyer is noted as the first time ever in the world.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Torch bearer support plan involves the active support of Korea's military including the army, navy, and air force at various sites along the 2018 km route, where 7,500 runners will be participating by Feb. 9 next year. During the torch relay period, the major assets of the Korean-type destroyer Munmu-the Great and the Korean-type maneuver helicopter Surion will be used for the success of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

Of the major assets, the first runner to enter the torch relay is the Munmu the Great. Munmu the Great will travel to the coastal area, a distance around 13km sea section between Tongyeong and Jinhae on the 14th,

The maritime torch relay is carried out in a manner simulating the Chunghae unit. The torchbearer uses a Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boat from Tongyeong Port to board the Munmu the Great, and is guided by three escorts of Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boats and one yard ferry. In the sky, a maritime helicopter (Lynx) is waiting. Significantly, the torch bearer is the Navy Commander Major Kim Gyu-hwan, who was the leader of the 2011 Dawn of Gulf of Aden Operation, making it even more meaningful. Major Kim made a great contribution to the success of the Dawn of Gulf of Aden Operation by serving as the team leader of the search and attack team.

Ministry of Defense Colonel of the army, Ji Joon-yee, said, "The maritime torch relay using Munmu the Great will demonstrate the dignity of the Korean destroyer and show the performance of the Chunghae unit in international peace keeping activities.“

On the 21st, Shinan County will also launch an army aviation helicopter for air transportation. Surion, the Korean-type maneuver helicopter, will fly the group of 1004 islands for about two hours. In the meantime, the torch keeps on the safety lamp and continues the fire of peace.

From January 19 to 26 next year, our military will actively support symbolic events that cross the DMZ's northernmost tip using bicycles. The army will support the 66km section of the Demilitarized Zone, where the the DMZ area is 122km extending from the north of the Civilian Line of Paju, Gyeonggi province to Yeoncheon, Chulwon and continues to Gosung, Gangwon province.

Meanwhile, the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Torch Relay, which started its journey from Incheon City on November 1st, will pass a message of peace through 17 cities and provinces across Korea for 101 days until February 9, 2018, and then move  to the main stadium of PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games until the closing ceremony, illuminating the winter festival of the world.

By Yeong-Sun, Lee < ys119@dema.mil.kr >

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