(EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Feb. 3)

Debut of Mobile Fleet
-Navy Can Develop Blue-Water Operational Capability-

South Korea has just taken a step toward a strong fleet operating on the high
seas.

On Monday, the Navy inaugurated its first strategic mobile fleet to defend
the nation from possible military threats from North Korea as well as protect its
sea lanes beyond its maritime territories. The creation of such a fleet is of
great importance as the country is surrounded by water on three sides.
It marked the first time since the 1948 establishment of the Navy that the nation
has come to acquire the capability to carry out deep-sea naval operations
independently. No one can overemphasize the value of the high-mobility unit when
China and Japan are racing to upgrade their naval forces in the Pacific Ocean
amid the rapidly changing world order. Needless to say, South Korea can never
ensure its security without beefing up its naval capabilities.
The debut of the 7th Mobile Fleet is the result of the nation's concerted efforts
to set up an effective defense system which has been propped up by its remarkable
economic development and technological breakthroughs. The fleet is composed of
two squadrons, each of which has a 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer and three 4,500-ton
KDX-II destroyers. It is also backed by submarines, frigates, P3-C maritime
patrol aircraft and Lynx anti-submarine helicopters.
But it is also true that the Navy is still in the initial stages of its
modernization. It launched its first Aegis destroyer, Sejong the Great, last
year. It will build a second one in August this year and a third one in 2012. In
addition, it plans to deploy six 5,600-ton mini-Aegis destroyers between 2019 and
2026. The nation still has a long way to go before joining the ranks of the
world's naval powers.
According to media reports, China plans to deploy three aircraft carriers by
2020, while Japan is also striving to build up its naval fleets. The two nations
and the United States are increasingly jockeying for hegemony in the East and
South China Sea. South Korea is not in a position to scramble for regional
hegemony or a military buildup in the area. However, who knows what would happen
if the balance of power is broken?
Against this backdrop, the inauguration of the mobile fleet should be seen as the
nation's efforts to boost its self-defense. South Korea cannot lower its guard
against potential provocations from the precarious North Korean military regime
and other threats from the outside. By operating the fleet, the nation can also
better prepare itself for possible territorial disputes with neighboring
countries.
What's equally important is to maintain safe maritime routes for fishing and
cargo ships. More than 90 percent of crude oil, grains, minerals and other key
imports are currently brought in through sea lanes. Therefore, it is necessary to
protect the nation's commercial interests from pirates or terrorists. That's why
Korean warships are joining in the international efforts to crack down on Somali
pirates in the Indian Ocean.
The mobile naval unit is also expected to give a boost to the nation's
peacekeeping operations in disputed regions around the world. We hope that the
fleet will maximize its strategic flexibility to play multipronged roles in order
to contribute to peace in Northeast Asia and around the globe.
(END)

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