South Korea to Command Maritime Forces in RIMPAC Exercise for First Time

SEOUL, April 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will command naval forces of multinational countries for the first time during a U.S.-led combined maritime exercise scheduled for later this year, the Navy said Thursday. An admiral of the South Korean Navy will take on the role of commanding the combined maritime component forces of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), set to take place in and around Hawaii from June 24 to July 31. It marks the first time for South Korea to take the command of the maritime component forces in the RIMPAC exercise. In the previous drill in 2024, South Korea took on a deputy commander position. The U.S. Third Fleet has also announced South Korea's role for this year's exercise, along with Canada commanding the air component. Launched in 1971, the biennial RIMPAC is designed to enhance cooperation among participating countries in securing sea lines of communication and countering potential security challenges at sea. South Korea joined RIMPAC in 1990. This year, the exercise will feature a multinational force involving more than 25,000 personnel, about 40 surface ships, five submarines and 140 aircraft, according to the U.S. Third Fleet's website. South Korea is expected to deploy its Aegis destroyer of Jeongjo the Great, P-9 maritime patrol aircraft and the 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine for the exercise.