(LEAD) Defense chief vows to build strong military on anniv. of 2002 inter-Korean naval skirmish

▲ This file photo shows a display set up to honor 55 troops who died in three major clashes with North Korea in the Yellow Sea in commemoration of the 11th West Sea Defense Day at the Seoul Metropolitan Library on March 25, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) naval battle-anniversary

(LEAD) Defense chief vows to build strong military on anniv. of 2002 inter-Korean naval skirmish

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS defense chief's comments in paras 1-4)

SEOUL, June 29 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Monday vowed to build a "strong" military in a ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of a naval skirmish with North Korea in 2002 that left six South Korean sailors dead.

Ahn made the remarks at the event marking the victory of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong at the Navy's Second Fleet in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometers south of Seoul.

"There is a clear path to repay the sacrifices of the fallen heroes," Ahn said in his commemorative speech. "It is to build a strong military trusted by the people. That is our shared mission for those of us alive today," he added.

The defense chief also paid his respects to the six fallen soldiers who died during the naval battle and expressed condolences to their bereaved family members.

The naval battle occurred near the South's frontline island of Yeonpyeong on June 29, 2002, when two North Korean patrol boats crossed the Northern Limit Line, the de facto inter-Korean maritime border, and launched a surprise attack on the South's Chamsuri-357 warship.

It left six South Korean sailors dead and 19 others injured, while around 30 North Koreans were presumed to have been killed or wounded in the clash.

This year, the ceremony was attended by some 300 people, including Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul and the bereaved family members of the naval battle.

The Navy said with the memorial event, it aimed to commemorate the patriotic spirit of the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country's maritime border against the North's provocations.

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