Cheonan sinking survivor remembers 46 fallen crewmen

“It was a kind of my funeral service of three years to pay respects to my colleagues who died in the line of duty in the Cheonan, which sank due to North Korea’s torpedo attack.”

This is what 1st Sgt. Heo Sun-haeng, 41, who was a crewman on the South Korean naval corvette sunk by North Korea in 2010, had to say in explaining why he continues to serve in the 2nd Naval Fleet in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to which the Cheonan belonged. Among the survivors of the incident Heo is the lone crewman to remain on duty in the fleet.

Though many of the crewmen who barely survived were reluctant to serve in the fleet due to post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the tragic incident, Heo is now communication inspector in the fleet`s marine training unit.

The Dong-A Ilbo interviewed him on the battleship Jinhae of the 2nd Naval Command in Pyeongtaek Sunday.

Dong-A: Three years have passed since the Cheonan’s sinking.

Heo: Many people seem interested in the Cheonan only around this time of the year. In our efforts to remember the incident, we (survivors) are meeting up March 26 (Tuesday), when the ship was sunk by the torpedo attack, Memorial Day (June 6) and Armed Forces Day (Oct. 1) and seek to comfort the victimized souls. I hope many people remember on ordinary days the 46 brave servicemen who died in the Cheonan and those who barely survived on that day as well.

Dong-A: I hear that many of the crewmen who experienced the sinking still suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Heo: The power once went out in a military drill. I thought somebody was around me, but when the lights came back on, I realized nobody was around. Trying to find a compartment while holding the door knob, I recalled the moment from when the Cheonan sank. I wasn`t afraid, but I often have memories from the sinking. Fortunately, I have no serious unease about riding a naval boat. June will mark the third year since I started inland duty. I will return to sea in this year’s second half or next year’s first half.

Dong-A: Certain people keep saying the Cheonan was stuck on a rock rather than being sunk by a North Korean torpedo attack.

Heo: I feel deep regret that certain people still don’t trust the cause though the Cheonan was found to have been sunk by a North Korean torpedo attack by an investigation involving many experts.

Dong-A: Since the Cheonan’s sinking, the South Korean Navy has reportedly reinforced its combat capability to some extent, right?

Heo: Many things still need improvement. Follow-up measures have been taken, with outdated parts of sonar systems replaced and the performance of anti-submarine aircraft improved, but fundamental action is needed to reinforce combat capability. With 1,200 ton-class patrol boats such as the Cheonan, it`s difficult to completely detect enemy submarines and avoid torpedo attacks. Only when the Navy has the proper number of battleships, submarines and aircraft will the military be able to prevent a second Cheonan sinking.

Dong-A: What would you do if North Korea commits another provocation?

Heo: More than 20 Cheonan crewmen are still performing their mission on fleet boats in the East Sea, South China Sea and Yellow Sea even at this very moment. If the enemy launches aggression, we will take the lead in repaying it with a vengeance.

At the end of the interview, Heo blasted criticism against those who survived the sinking as those who committed sin. He earnestly asked people to call them Cheonan crewmen and not surviving soldiers of the Cheonan sinking. “Surviving soldiers are also proud members of the Republic of Korea Navy, who risked their lives to defend the waters of the motherland.”

scud2007@donga.com