Nine sailors in naval clash with North receive honors
Published: 11 Dec. 2009, 20:13
Lieutenant Kim Sang-hun
The medal is the third-highest order of merit among five that can be given to soldiers who have made major contributions on the battlefield. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security is in charge of the screening process.
The other eight sailors present at the incident, including lieutenant commanders Ko Seung-bum and Yeon Jae-young as well as Lieutenant Kim Seong-wan, were awarded either the Hwarang or Inheon medals, the two ranks below the Chungmu, at the Korea Armed Forces Commanders’ General Meeting at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, central Seoul, on Wednesday.
Four South Korean navy vessels took part in the Nov. 10 sea clashes in two separate formations.
Kim, who commanded the Chamsuri-325, a South Korean naval patrol boat, during the inter-Korean skirmish, played a pivotal role in forcing a North Korean vessel which had crossed into South Korean waters to retreat back to the northern side. The same Chamsuri also defeated a North Korean boat during the inter-Korean battle near Yeonpyeong Island off the west coast in June 1999.
“We definitely win once we fight on the battlefield. We will keep on winning,” said Kim. “Any South Korean sailor would do the same as I did in that critical situation. We were able to gain victory against North Korean aggression thanks to strong support from our senior officers and other colleagues.”
Kim, who was appointed commander of the Chamsuri in July this year, said he was careful to stay fully aware of the rules of engagement at all times and maintained combat readiness.
“On the day of the clash on the water, I reacted by the book,” Kim said. “It was unusual that the North Korean vessel did not fall back in spite of warning calls. Rather, it aimed its guns at us. I ordered the crew to fire back immediately as soon as the enemy fired first.”
Lieutenant Commander Yeon was previously awarded the Hwarang Order of Merit for the skirmishes near Yeonpyeong in 1999, when he commanded the Chamsuri-357. This time he entered the battle as a formation commander. Yeon is Korea’s first active-duty officer to get two orders of merit.
“We fought keeping in mind that any provocations from North Korea would not be allowed whatsoever. We also battled the enemy in remembrance of the late Commander Yoon Young-ha, who was killed in action with five sailors during a clash with North Korean naval forces in the Yellow Sea in June 2002,” Yeon said.
Yoon was given the Eulji Order of Merit.
After the first naval clashes in 1999, seven and 11 sailors received Eulji and Chungmu medals, respectively.
By Jeong Yong-soo [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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