Admiral Kang Dong-gil, Chief of Naval Operations, answers questions during a parliamentary audit of the Navy at the Navy Headquarters in Gyeryongdae, Chungnam, on the 23rd. Yonhap News. 

Admiral Kang Dong-gil, Chief of Naval Operations, stated that China is violating international law in the Yellow Sea's China-Korea Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ).

During the parliamentary audit of the Navy Headquarters at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam, on the 23rd, Admiral Kang responded to a question from Representative Kang Dae-sik of the People Power Party regarding China's installation of structures in the Yellow Sea, saying, "I believe China is not complying with international law in the Yellow Sea Provisional Measures Zone."

Song Il-jong, Chairman of the National Defense Committee, urged the Navy to actively respond to China's maritime law violations in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Coast Guard. Admiral Kang replied, "Understood."

In response to Representative Lim Jong-deuk of the People Power Party's request to firmly respond if Chinese warships enter the PMZ, Admiral Kang replied in principle, "If they enter our territory, we must also respond proportionally."

Addressing lawmakers' concerns about China's activities in the Yellow Sea, Admiral Kang explained, "China has a qualitative and quantitative advantage over us. China has three fleets, two of which are positioned near us. Their operational capacity has grown significantly since 2000, with a rapid increase in the number of vessels."

He added, "On the other hand, we have fewer vessels and must contend with both North Korea and China. Consequently, in addition to combat ships, landing ships and logistical support ships are also deployed for response."

Meanwhile, in response to Representative Baek Sun-hee of the New Alternative Party's point that although the ROK military has operationalized the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and MH-60R Seahawk maritime operation helicopters through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts with the U.S., the torpedo deployment is being delayed due to U.S. circumstances, Admiral Kang stated, "We will prioritize acquiring approximately 30 torpedoes and modify them for deployment on maritime operation helicopters using domestically produced torpedoes."

Regarding the Navy hotel, which is under police investigation for alleged corruption related to exclusive contracts for wedding venues, he said, "There is clearly something improper. We will take fair action based on the investigation results."

In a preceding operational briefing, the Navy announced its plan to secure a 30,000-ton class 'Korean Unmanned-Manned (MuM-T) Carrier' by the late 2030s, capable of integrating and commanding unmanned and manned assets, rather than a light aircraft carrier primarily focused on manned aircraft operations.

The Korean MuM-T Carrier is expected to enhance the survivability and offensive capabilities of friendly forces by carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for combat, surveillance, and attack, as well as suicide UAVs, thereby significantly improving surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities compared to manned aircraft.

The Korean MuM-T Carrier the Navy aims to secure will be approximately 30,000 tons and, in addition to UAVs, will be capable of carrying landing utility helicopters and attack helicopters for projecting Marine Corps forces ashore.

Furthermore, it will include an immersed well deck, similar to the Dokdo-class large transport ship, to carry and launch reconnaissance/mine warfare unmanned surface vessels and high-speed landing craft.

Moving forward, the Navy plans to operate the Dokdo and Marado, its large transport ships, as command ships for three task forces, alongside the Korean MuM-T Carrier.

The Navy emphasized that the Korean MuM-T Carrier will serve as a core asset for a maritime-based Korean Kill Web, integrating and commanding dispersed unmanned and manned assets in wide areas on a real-time network basis.

The Navy also reported plans to establish a maritime-based Korean Kill Web centered on AI and networks capable of real-time detection, decision-making, and engagement, as well as to improve working conditions by progressively implementing a rotational duty system for ship crews.

The Marine Corps reported its operational plans, including accelerating the transition to an unmanned-manned complex combat system through the application of unmanned-manned complex combat systems to its unit structure, and the development of unmanned-manned complex combat systems through the modularization of the KAAV-II amphibious assault vehicle series, attack helicopters, and high-speed combat boats.

Yonhap News