According to information published by the U.S. DoD on September 27, 2023, the U.S. Navy and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy concluded a multi-domain bilateral exercise on Sept. 27, nearing the 70-year anniversary of the two countries’ Oct. 1, 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty.
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ROKN destroyer ROKS Gwanggaeto the Great, ROKN destroyer ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, and USS Chancellorsville in 2022. (Picture source: US DoD)
The U.S. naval force, spearheaded by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), aligned with South Korea's Maritime Task Flotilla (MTF) 7. This alliance showcased a powerful combination of air, surface, and sub-surface military assets.
South Korea's fleet was notably comprised of the Sejong the Great-class guided-missile destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG 992), Chungmugong Yi Sunshin-class helicopter destroyer ROKS Dae Joyeung (DDH 997), and the trailblazing fast-combat support ship ROKS Cheonji (AOE 57).
The joint naval exercise allowed both forces to engage in a range of activities, from personnel exchanges and intricate maneuvers to anti-submarine warfare practices and mutual refueling procedures.
Mutual Defense Treaty
The Mutual Defense Treaty, signed on October 1, 1953, solidified the alliance between the United States and South Korea. Established shortly after the Korean War's armistice, the treaty commits both nations to mutual defense against external threats. It permits U.S. military presence in South Korea and has been instrumental in the region's geopolitical dynamics.
