A South Korean naval destroyer, the ROKS Munmu the Great, is set to participate in an international fleet review and multinational field exercise in the United States over the next two months. The 4,400-ton warship will depart from a naval base on Jeju Island to join the fleet review in New York from July 3-8, along with around 100 naval vessels from approximately 50 countries, including Canada, Britain, Japan, and Spain.
Prior to the fleet review, the ROKS Munmu the Great will engage in multinational field training at the end of the following month on the east coast of Norfolk in Virginia, under the supervision of the US Second Fleet. This exercise will involve about 30 naval vessels from 18 countries, such as Brazil, France, and Britain.
Named after a king of the Silla Kingdom, the Munmu the Great will also conduct promotional activities for South Korean naval ships and weapons systems during port calls in Mexico and Colombia. Additionally, the destroyer plans to visit the Colombian city of Cartagena and San Diego in the US to pay tribute to veterans who supported South Korea during the Korean War from 1950-53.
In parallel, South Korea and the United States’ top defense officials are scheduled to meet in Washington to discuss matters including the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul and South Korea’s efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
