Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

General Hong Beom-do’s fighting spirit for independence ‘commemorated’ in top-of-the-line submarine

General Hong Beom-do, the supreme commander of Korean National Army Liaison Unit who led our independence army to their biggest victory ever, completely defeating the Japanese army at the Bongoh town Battle during the Japanese occupation, has been commemorated in a top-of-the-line submarine to protect our seas.

On April 5, the navy held a launching ceremony for ‘Hong Beom-do Ham’, the 7th 214-class, 1,800-ton class submarine, at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. The ceremony was attended by key naval personnel, including the Navy Chief of Staff, Jung Ho-sub, CEO of Hyundai Heavy Industries Kwon Oh-gap, related officials from Defense Acquisition Program Administration, related officials from Yeocheon General Hong Beom-do Commemoration Service Association, and others.

With a full length of 65 meters and a width of 6.3 meters, the Hong Beom Do Ham can maneuver at up to 20 knots, 37km/h. It will be handed over to the Navy in July next year, and carry out antiship and antisubmarine warship, offensive mine laying missions, and more. Equipped with a domestic cruise missile capable of long-range pinpoint strikes against core enemy facilities, it is expected to play an important role in strengthening our naval fighting power.

The ceremony consisted of the opening, the pledge of allegiance and report of progress of fleet-building, followed by the announcement of the fleet, opening remarks from CEO Kwon, rewards to men of merit, a congratulatory address from Naval Chief of Staff Jung and launching and champaign breaking. Mrs. Ahn Mi-hee, wife of the guest of honor who was Naval Chief of Staff Jung, cut the launching wire connected with Hong Beom-do Ham for the launch (the ceremony of floating the warship on the sea for the first time). It is a Navy tradition that a woman take care of the launch, like cutting the umbilical cord of a new-born baby.

General Hong Beom-do led the army for national independence after moving to Manchu during the Japanese occupation. Right after the 1919 Independence Movement, he led an armed independence movement as the commander-in-chief of the Korean National Army Liaison Unit around Kando area. A year later in 1920, he was responsible for the victory of Bongoh town Battle and Battle of Qingshanli, the greatest battles ever in the history of the independence army. While General Hong passed away without seeing the independence of our country, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Presidential Medal, in 1962 as a tribute to his merits.

The Navy has named 214-class submarines after the great men who made a contribution to the independence movement or to overcoming various national crises. The 1st fleet was named after the first Navy chief, Admiral Son Won-il, while the 2nd was named for General Jung Ji who beat off Japanese raiders leading the Goryeo naval forces. Beginning with the 3rd fleets, submarines were named after anti-Japan fighters such as Ahn Jung-geun, Kim Jwa-jin, Yun Bong-gil and Yu Kwan-sun. This 7th fleet was named after Hong Beom-do, who led the armed independence movement, out of respect for his patriotism and sense of national security.

In a congratulatory speech, Naval chief Jung said “As our ‘strategic dagger’ capable of making pinpoint strikes against surface ships and submarines as well as ground targets, the Hong Beom-do Ham will play a pivotal role in our national security” and stated “It will solidify Korea's protection in the deep sea while carrying out its mission silently and perfectly, whenever and wherever it is.”

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

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