Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Protect our seabed like Yun Bong-Gil, the Martyr!

A round trip to Hawaii without refueling

Increased underwater mission capability thanks to AIP

The 5th fleet, Yun Bong Gil Hams which is a 214-class (1,800-ton) submarine begins its first official steps to crisscross underwater with the Navy. Yun Bong Gil Ham raised the pennant at a commissioning ceremony that was held at the Navy Submarine Force Command on the afternoon of June 20. Around 300 people - including Director of Independence Hall Yoon Joo-kyung; President of the Association for Commemoration of the Patriotic Martyr Yun Bong-gil, Kim Jin-woo; as well as naval marine and ground commanders and sailors, and relevant officials from the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, and Hyundai Heavy Industries - attended this ceremony.

Yun Bong Gil Ham was first initiated in December of 2010; upon finishing its acceptance test, it was handed over to the Navy on June 17, where it was announced at the commission ceremony that this was going to be a naval fleet. With a full length of 65.3 meters, a full width of 6.3 meters, and a maximum speed of 20 knots, the submarine can complete a round trip from Korea to Hawaii without refueling, and with approximately 40 sailors on board. It is equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP), which increases its underwater mission capability.

Rear Admiral Yun Jung-sang, a submarine commander, said, “All our sailors need to work together to optimize the performance of Yun Bong Gil Ham. With faith in achieving victory, as well as thorough preparation, we have to have fight with force to punish any forms of enemy provocation.”

“I will make this the best submarine in the world, and it will be capable of completing every mission assigned, through actual education and training,” said Captain Kim Oe-gap, the first captain of Yun Bong Gil Ham. The vessel will enter service at the end of this year after force integration training and upon completion of a mission capability test.

By Su-Yeol, Maeng < guns13@dema.mil.kr >
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