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By Lee Sun-ho
For the first time in my life, I was given the opportunity to watch the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy's national defense concert invitational, presented to a wide bracket of diverse concertgoers including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul April 26. It was performed under the sponsorship of the ROK Navy and supported by the Military Mutual Aid Association (MMAA). The significant function was prepared for three commemorations ― the 75th anniversary of the establishment of ROK's armed forces, the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. mutual defense treaty and the 478th birthday of famed Admiral Yi Soon-shin (1545-98) of the Joseon Kingdom ― ahead of the nation's 68th Memorial Day this coming June 6.
The artistic concert, comprehensively directed by Kolleen Sue Park and emceed by announcer Jo Soo-bin, was participated in by the ROK Navy band, honor guard, public relations team and even the U.S. Eighth Army band plus Harmonize, an award-winning choral group. Impressive were the U.S.-ROK joint band performances of "Hansan," "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Incheon" representing the solid defense bond between the two allies. "You Will Never Walk Alone" sung by the Seoul Boys and Girls Choir added to the mood. The large audio-visual screen showed presentations on the 10 Korean War heroes, Admiral Yi's sea battle victories, the dangers of Operation Chromite and Marilyn Monroe's popularity during the Korean War period.
The navy concert covered a wide range of music, as I observed on-site, ranging from current popular hits to diverse high-fidelity sounds of well-selected inspiring tracks. The concert revealed several unique concepts, featuring the navy's peculiar ceremonial character reflecting the resolute will to safeguard the nation's oceanic territory.
I felt the purpose of the concert was encouragingly aimed not only at facing the necessity for defending against any feasible naval provocations but also at the memory and tribute to those brave seamen including Marines who were killed during the sea clashes provoked by an aggressive North Korea.
I vividly remember such instances as the Northern Limit Line naval skirmishes of Yeonpyeong on June 15, 1999 and again on June 29, 2002; the sinking of the Cheonan PCC-772 boat by a North Korean torpedo on March 26, 2010; the artillery shelling of Yeonpyeong Island on Nov. 23, 2010, and so on (Ref. The Korea Times dated Aug. 4, 2015).
The current navy concert series also paid homage to the navy fleet, the nation's naval patriots and veterans and the ROK's naval history and culture, including ongoing exhibits of the navy memorial events
Since Korea is a peninsula, strong naval forces have been crucial in maintaining stability throughout its history. Without a ready-alert naval power, the country would no doubt have been devastated by enemy sea attacks. It is quite significant to perform the unique navy concert to enlighten people at home and abroad to ponder the importance of Korea's maritime power for sea protection at stake, in unison with the oceanic giants.
Expecting well-equipped blue-line naval power to be upgraded in this 21st-century AI-innovation era for a country like ROK, I would like to extend my sense of gratitude to the ROK Navy authorities concerned for inviting me to this wonderful orchestral ensemble evening I enjoyed thoroughly with beguiling interest.
The writer (wkexim@naver.com) is a freelance columnist living in Seoul.
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