South Korea's RIMPAC Command Role Hailed as 'Significant Milestone'

By Kim Hyun-soo

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- The deputy commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet on Monday said South Korea's role of commanding the combined maritime component forces at this year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise marks a "significant milestone" for the South Korea-U.S. partnership.

Rear Adm. Suzanne Bailey, who also serves as the commander of the RIMPAC Combined Exercise Control Group, made the remarks as South Korea is serving as the maritime component commander at this year's RIMPAC exercise, becoming the first Asian country to assume the role.

"It highlights a truly significant milestone for the RIMPAC exercise and for our partnership with the Republic of Korea," Bailey said at a virtual press briefing, when asked about the significance of South Korea leading the multinational forces during this year's RIMPAC.

The U.S.-led joint maritime exercise began June 24 and is scheduled to run through July 31 in Hawaii, bringing together over 25,000 personnel from 31 nations.

"The Republic of Korea Navy and specifically Adm. Kim In-ho serving as the maritime component commander is a powerful testament to the strength and the maturity of our alliance," she added.

The deputy commander noted that South Korea's participation in the drills will help showcase the sophistication and strength of their fleet, noting the move demonstrates a "shared commitment to a free and open Pacific."

South Korea deployed its Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great to take part in the joint maritime exercise for the first time this year, along with the P-9 maritime patrol aircraft and the 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine, among others.

Without elaborating on their capabilities, Bailey touted one of the South Korean vessels she boarded, reportedly a Cheonwangbong-class landing ship, calling it "phenomenal."