[Opinion] Korea Navy Destroyer

South Korea’s navy purchased its first combat ship, a 600 ton-class Paekdusan (PC-701), in October 1949 from the United States. There is, however, a tear-breaking story behind the purchase. Not only did the naval officers of this poor and recently independent country have to contribute money out of their own scanty salaries, but also the members of the Naval Officers` Wives` Club had to go and carry out charity activities to raise contributions.

With such devotion, $60,000, which eventually became the seed money to purchase the warship, was raised. And as if it returns their cherished desire, the Paekdusan not only played a pivotal role among other navy ships, but also outperformed the expectations during the Korean War.

If we look back at the past, there were not many maritime powers as strong as Korea used to be. It can be easily recognized if we look at Jang Bo-go, trade prince of the maritime commercial empire who ruled the ocean of northeastern Asia during the late Silla period or at the outstanding military achievements of Admiral Yi Soon-shin, whose accomplishment is hardly comparable in the world history of naval combats.

The 58 year-old ROK navy launched the 4.500 ton-class destroyer, Daejoyoung. The Daejoyoung ship is the third destroyer the navy has developed under its program code-named KDX-II, following the Yisoonshin ship. I feel extremely proud of it as it seems to remind us of the dream that our ancestors fostered to become a mighty maritime power.

The term “destroyer” was originated from the torpedo-boat destroyer which was given birth in 1890s. The destroyer appeared to catch torpedo boats as torpedo boats had begun to take a critical role in naval combats in the late 19th century. It is interesting that the Japanese navy call it “驅逐艦,” a chasing ship.

Destroyers have been gradually upgraded in order to carry out modern multidimensional warfare that requires operational capability in anti-vessel, anti-aircraft, and anti-submarine missions. The Daejoyoung ship makes me feel secured as it is a "stealth" destroyer which can even overcome damages during chemical or biological attacks.

The navy plans to build a “next generation warship of dream,” Aegis-equipped destroyer, by 2008 under its KDX-III program. Therefore, you can say Daejoyoung is a stepping stone in the leap towards a 7,000-ton class Aegis-equipped destroyer. Furthermore, the navy is planning to become one which protects the ocean and not just the coast.

Daejoyoung is named after Daejoyoung, who founded the ancient Korean kingdom Palhae in 699 AD after crippling the Chinese army. I wish the Daejoyoung ship to become the guardian angel of our ocean which is surrounded by powerful nations.

Song Moon-hong, Editorial Writer songmh@donga.com