▲ This file photo, released by South Korea's Navy on Feb. 2, 2025, features its Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great sailing in waters off Jeju Island the previous day. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-multinational naval exercise

Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great leaves for RIMPAC exercise

SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- The Navy's Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great was set to depart Monday to participate in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) for the first time, the Navy said.

The Jeongjo the Great will leave a naval base in South Korea's southern island of Jeju later in the day to participate in the multinational maritime exercise, scheduled to be held in waters off Hawaii from June 24 to July 31, according to the Navy.

It marks the first time that the destroyer will participate in the RIMPAC since its commissioning in December 2024.

This year, South Korea takes on the role of commanding the combined maritime component forces of RIMPAC for the first time. In 2024, South Korea took on a deputy command position.

Alongside the Jeongjo the Great, the Navy will also deploy the 3,000-ton submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, both participating in RIMPAC for the first time.

The Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and the frigate Daejeon will join the exercise after completing joint drills with Canada, while the landing ship Cheonjabong will head to Hawaii after conducting a joint search-and-rescue exercise with Japan in waters off Jeju Island on June 7.

In addition, the Navy will deploy some 700 Navy and Marine Corps personnel, AW-159 maritime operation helicopters and six Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles.

Launched in 1971, the biennial RIMPAC is designed to enhance cooperation among participating countries in securing sea lines of communication and countering potential security challenges at sea. South Korea joined the exercise in 1990.

This year, RIMPAC will bring together a multinational force of 31 nations, involving more than 25,000 personnel, about 40 surface ships, five submarines and 140 aircraft, according to the U.S. Third Fleet's website.

"The exercise will provide a valuable chance for South Korea to strengthen capabilities for combined naval operation plans at a time when Seoul seeks to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States," the Navy said.

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