Navy Ceremony [Korea/Norway]

[Jay]

It was chilly in Seoul the night before the Norwegians were expected to arrive. The cold breeze swept across the busy roads as people went about their evenings with their colleagues. Office workers being forced to join their boss for late night drinking, students coming out of school and trying to grab a quick bite to eat as they rushed to their academies, and the elderly strolling around their neighbors. It was quiet the night in Seoul as friends gathered at eateries and the news rolled clips about the situation in Europe and India. Many having cancelled their plans to travel to Norway, Italy, Sweden, the UK, and Spain due to the recent situation in Europe. Some children were disappointed, but others, were angry having to go to their academies for winter rather than being in Europe with the festive lights and activities. Still, there was a sense of peace and calm that many foreigners would never be able to understand. Being 50 kilometers from a deadly and merciless regime in a state of unofficial war, the Korean Peninsula stood in stark contrast to the rest of the globe for the shiny glimmer of peace and stability.

While the city continued on its day, the Korean Presidential Security Service and Ministry of National Defense had a long night ahead of them. There was much to worry about following the terror attacks in Oslo and possible secondary attacks in Seoul targeting the Norwegians. Already at airports, customs and border officers were giving more scrutiny to European travelers over fears some were coming to stir up and support a North Korean communist movement in the South. The NIS had been monitoring chatter across the internet and its spy network amongst defectors to keep up to date. The 2nd Vice Minister of National Defense Kim Jaemin and the Head of the P.S.S. had been discussing the security arrangements for the Norwegian delegation. There was a sense of embarrassment last time when the Norwegians flew a commercial flight on a Korean airline, hoping to ensure this did not repeat again. There would be a number of Norwegian sailors present, as such, it was a logistical feat to move this high volume of people across the country to Busan. The logistics would have to be discussed first, with the plan to move the 1,200 sailors and 2 VIPs. It was decided the ROK Air Force would operate 4 Transport Aircrafts to move the group in 3 groups. The ROK Air Force was able to spare 4 Transport Aircrafts for the mission, and prepositioned them that evening from Youngsam Forward Air Base and relocated them to Incheon International Airport.

On the dawn of the day of the visit, Incheon International Airport was busy with passengers. Some heading abroad, hoping to see the world and travel during the winter festivities with their loved ones. The arrival section was filled with Koreans leaving India and Europe during this crisis. While many wanted to go abroad, the security situation was scary enough to wear them off. The Incheon security personnel were also on a more heightened alert, and sniffer dogs could be seen as they patrolled the baggage claim and departure lounges. The air traffic control would give a priority landing to the Scandinavian Airplane landing due to its VIP passengers. As the plane landed, some passengers would see two F-16s taking off from the Airbase portion of the Airport. The sailors would disembark before the plane arrived at the bridge tunnel, allowing the sailors to get onto trucks and go to the airbase portion of the airport where the KC-130J were waiting to take them to Busan Naval Base. The sailors would be escorted to the transport planes waiting at Incheon International and be moved in groups of 3. As the sailors got off the plane, they would be met with a chilly and numbing cold. Spreading across their body if not properly covered, the Korean winters were harsh. The Norwegian Delegation would continue to taxi to the bridges connector att Incheon International Airport, while the Ambassador would be invited with the Minister of National Defense Park Hyunjin to greet his Norwegian Counterpart. Priority would be given to the Minister to depart the aircraft, while below, the military equipment was safely removed and loaded onto the cargo plane to transport to Busan.The Defense Minister would walk through customs, noticing the large lines at the Korean nationals line as people came back to Korea. While also noticing the lines at the customs and border section for international passengers being long, but because they were slow to move. The Ambassador and Minister would be escorted to the VIP lounge while they waited for a bit as the Minister’s personal bags were collected by a military aide under the supervision of a Norwegian military staffer. The Ministers would be able to have some small chat, as the Korean Minister passed his government’s condolences over the recent attack in Oslo and asked about the Ministers flight.

The Ministers would take a modified KAI Surion Helicopter would depart the helicopter pads with the Norwegian and Korean delegations and fly over the Peninsula to Busan. The Norwegian Minister would see the rough mountainous terrain as well as flat arable land across the peninsula before they landed at Gimhae International Airport where a motorcade would take them to the Naval Base. The Koreans were quite sensitive to flying over their military installations and avoid the Norwegians from seeing the movement of army personnel across the network of bases while the Busan Permitter was being reinforced, opting to land at civilian installations instead.The motorcade would not make any stops. Their police escort moving them across the roads without heeding the street signals. The situation felt tense even though nothing was happening, the Korean security contingent staring around and maintaining their focused vigilance. The streets of Busan were still vibrant as people walked throughout the day, going and coming from work, getting something to eat, etc…

As they arrived towards the Naval Base, compared to before, security was heightened. Both as a result of the security concerns for the Norwegians, but also the state of alert the Republic of Korean Armed Forces and entered. The Minister would notice that no Korean naval ships were in port, meaning they had all been deployed, meanwhile, Marines were exercising across the base facilities while some navy intelligence and strategic personnel attached to the Headquarters walked around the large naval base. As the Ministers vehicle passed by, soldiers and sailors would stop and salut as the motorcade brisked towards the Naval Operations Command where the Norwegian Minister would be able to have a meeting with the Korean Minister while the ceremony was being prepared. The aides and staff would leave the two ministers to speak privately, bringing them an assortment of drinks and small snacks. The Ambassador would join the two ministers after a couple of minutes as he was asked to help with the sailors and met with Korean translators to be asked a handful of questions. The ministers would be able to converse in English, to avoid the need for a translator.

Park Hyunjin [Minister of National Defense]: "Welcome to Busan Minister Zak, I know the journey was quiet long. Can I offer you any tea or drinks?"

 

[Zak]

Transporting over 1,000 personnel between Norway and South Korea was always going to be a challenge but the government had chartered aircraft from Scandinavian Airlines for the Royal Norwegian Navy personnel to be flown to South Korea to take ownership of their new vessels which will project Norway's naval power around not only Europe, but the whole world to protect her interests and allies. Life onboard the aircraft being flown to South Korea was mixed, sailors had been getting rest as well as reading up on their new respective ships whilst the newly appointed ship commanders had been making final checks ready for the return journey to Norway.

Minister Søreide would speak with her aides and the Norwegian Ambassador to South Korea during the journey to Busan Naval Base, it was her first visit to South Korea as Minister of Defence and was using the opportunity to catch up on paperwork before she met with her South Korean counterpart, being a Minister was a tough job and she arguably had one of the toughest jobs alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs. She smiled as she exited the vehicle and entered the Operations Command Centre where she convened with her South Korean counterpart.

"Minister Hyunjin, thank you for your hospitality. I have received such praise from Ambassador Solberg about your wonderful country and I now understand what he means. Could I just get a soda, please?"

Jay

 

[Jay]

Park Hyunjin [Minister of National Defense]: "Thank you for your kind words, he grabbed a soda from the from the different drinks on the table and placed it onto of a coster in front of the minister, also placing a glass cup in-front of her, placing a glass jar with some ice in it beside it. We are glad to have you here Minister Søreide. Please accept President Kim's condolences to your government over the terrorist attacks in Oslo, I hope the situation has stabilized."

Zak

 

[Zak]

The Minister of Defence took the soda from the coaster and opened it, taking a sip of the contents as she leaned back, placing the can back down onto the coaster.

"We thank President Kim for his kind remarks, he will always remain a close friend of the Kingdom of Norway and we hope that he will be able to visit Oslo during his tenure as President of this wonderful and prosperous nation. South Korea has always and will be a wonderful country full of prosperity, South Korean citizens are some of the most successful people in their fields around the world, the deal to build our ships will always go down in history and we hope that many more deals for South Korean armament can come, not only during our tenures, but for many years to come."

Jay

 

[Jay]

Park Hyunjin [Minister of National Defense]: "We are glad to hear the high regards your country places on our people and nation. I am certain His Excellency would like to visit Norway soon...I hope that, we can both become strong allies in the coming years. As well as your countries continued purchases of our naval and aerial systems. Whilst we have not allowed the export of ground systems for general consumption, I am certain our government could also sell artillery sets and tanks to Norway if your government ever needed them. I do not want the situation in Oslo to carry our discussion, but our government is concerned over the situation. Do you have any new information over the attackers and their affiliates, as well as their motives Minister Zak ? "

 

[Zak]

The Minister took in the words from her counterpart, and lifted her drink and took in the remaining contents before disposing of the can into a nearby bin.

"The suspect took his own life, he is of Libyan origin as we detained his passport at his hotel and a number of personal belongings of the suspect and the Norwegian Intelligence Service is working around the clock to gather information to support our partners around the globe. Shall we begin with the ceremony? I believe Norwegian sailors are ready on our end."

Jay

 

[Jay]

Park Hyunjin [Minister of National Defense]: Noticing the Minister was hurrying the discussion and as to not keep her in the room, the Minister would prematurely end the side conversation and begin moving to the ceremony. "Yes, we can move onto the ceremony." Getting up and opening the door for her, closing the Rear Admiral's office as they left. They would walk through the halls of the Naval Operations Command, with portraits of all the Chief of Naval Operations as well as national heroes in the naval field from Korea's rich and ancient history. The Ministers would exit the building, still bright from the mid-morning sun that hanged over Busan. The sun was deceiving, as the cold winds from the East Sea and Korean Straits gushed across the base and would send shivers down the spine of those not wearing adequate clothing. Outside a Mercedes E with the Norwegian and Korean flags was waiting for them escorted by two Korean Army Puma 4x4. The Minister would be let in first as her Korean counterpart followed after her. They would drive for a couple of minutes across the large naval base bringing them to dockyard where the four destroyers and two amphibious assault crafts stood idle as the waves slowly rocked them. On the ground, the Norwegian sailors would already be assembled, with the Korean Navy machine band sitting near the Ministers podiums and Korean sailors standing opposite to the Norwegian column. Korean Marines stood around the premise in combat uniforms and equipment monitoring their surrounding, while the Norwegian Minister was still being escorted by the Presidential Security Service detail. The vehicles would park behind the small podium, where they would exit the vehicle and walk up the podium.

As they walked up the podium, the Navy Band played the Korean national anthem followed by the Norwegian national anthem, before closing with the Korean Navy Song. As the ceremony was largely pertaining to the Norwegian Royal Navy, the Korean Naval Command would not be in attendance, although represented by Rear Admiral Sim Seungseob, the Commandant for Busan Naval Base, the Mayor of Busan, and a handful of city councillors. A number of foreign news outlets would join the Korean news agencies present for the ceremony. The ships were flying ROK Flags, while the Korean Navy prepared to lower them and replace them with Norwegian flags when the ceremony would conclude. The wind moved the flags aggressively as they stood in place against the undeterred wind. The Korean Minister would stand up to speak first, after the Rear Admiral had finished his opening remarks and hopes for a strong ROK Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy cooperation.

Park Hyunjin [Minister of National Defense]: "Thank you Rear Admiral Sim. I would like to welcome Defense Minister Søreide to the Republic of Korea and behalf of President Kim offer our thanks to Norway's continued support to the Republic of Korea dating back to 1951 when the Norwegian Government deployed medial forces to assist the Republic of Korea and our allies against North Korea and their vile ideological backers. Indeed, the Korean War is a testament to the outstanding need for global cooperation to hold firm the thinning wall of democracies. I was especially pleased to have a chat with the Minister and reaffirming Korea's support for Norway through its difficult and turbulent times at home these past couple of weeks. When it comes to the Soviet question and communism, our two governments are on the same viewing of the threat poised by a destabilizing ideological conflict.

Before we get to hand over ceremony, I’d like to briefly discuss the need for strong intercontinental cooperation as exemplified by Korea and Norway's recent $3.2 billion agreement on the purchase of naval vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy. With these vessels, Norway has taken steps to cover and address the challenges in this dynamic world as a global rebalance takes place in the aftermath of socio-economic and political crisis. I hope to see strong naval cooperation and exercises between Korea, Norway, and the Nordic Council in a common mission towards liberty, prosperity, and mutual security objectives. As Korea engages with other states such as Spain, Italy, and the United States, it is extremely important for Korea and Norway to take mutual security outlines seriously and overview mutual concerns and discuss over our disagreements. The Russia Crisis shows us that no country can do it alone. I’m not going to get into much more detail of what is happening, and isn't happening, but the Republic of Korea has greatly revamped its own security objectives and policies. A wake up call has rung across the globe, but it is clear that pouring money at the problem will not fix it. Nor will having a large military to fight against a growingly complex asymmetric fighting structure of the threats we face. In Asia, the growing destabilizing effort by certain powers sets us on a dangerous path forward, one which can only be triumphed by mutual cooperation and consideration.

We have begun to watch very closely the developments of the security situation in Europe, and the broader global community. The situation in one region will affect other regions. The Republic of Korea is committed to the allies we've held dear, and in the Asia region, to promote a network of strong and capable democratic states that support each other in the quest of regional interdependence. It is reason we will work to the free flow of traffic, supporting through financial and technical means the military and political development of countries, and assist in the transfer of equipment and training. I hope Norway and its partners will support the Republic of Korea in this mission, and I hope that we can continue the strong relations we've kickstarted here in Busan. I welcome the Defense Minister to the podium." The Defense Minister would step aside and walk backwards to his seat as the Norwegian Minister would stand up. On the podium her speech was prepared, also indicating to her that the next speaker would be the Deputy Commandant of the Busan Naval Base who would begin the handover ceremony.
Zak

 

[Zak]

​

"Minister Hyunjin, Rear Admiral Seungseob, fellow guests. What a pleasure it is to be here in Busan to receive these wonderful ships from our wonderful friends here in South Korea. I, as well as the hundreds of Norwegian sailors stood here in Busan today are proud to welcome these ships into the Royal Norwegian Navy. These ships are going to project the Royal Norwegian Navy's power to deploy anywhere, around the world at a moments notice, it will give the government options from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations at one end through stabilisation and peacekeeping and, if needed, combat operations at the other.

I, as well as a number of Norwegian cabinet members have held discussions with Minister Hyunjin and his fellow cabinet members to discuss the current ongoing crisis in Russia and we have agreed that things need to come to a conclusion because things can spiral out of control at any given point, which we don't need happening. I know that all of you will face long periods of separation from those you hold dear, but I feel sure that the support of your families will strengthen and comfort you in the challenges you will face on the high seas, please remember that you will also be in my thoughts and prayers. You will serve your country on extraordinary ships, at the beginning of an exciting new era in our long naval history.

I would like to thank those at Hanjin Heavy Industries, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering on building these wonderful ships and I hope that Norway can complete business with South Korea down the line."

Jay

 

[Jay]

Yoon Yeseong [Deputy Commandant of Busan Naval Base]: "Thank you Minister Zak. In the closing of this event, I wish for the best of our fellow seamen of the Royal Norwegian Navy in their mission for social justice and progress. On behalf of our partners in the city of Busan and the Republic of Korea Navy, I hope the hospitality and warmth of the city have left an impression on you all. As we transfer the vessels to the Norwegian Navy, we hope that the spirit of fairness and justice, ethical actions, and strong code of conduct passes onto the Norwegian Navy as the ROK Navy has prided itself with. In the closing of this ceremony, 멈추지 말고 계속 해나가기만 한다면 늦어도 상관없다, that the as Confucian says, it does not matter how slow it takes to get somewhere, as long as you don't stop. I speak on behalf of the ROK Navy when I say that we hope that together Korea and Norway can move together on this journey of helping humanity." The Deputy Commandant would close the ceremony and begin the official transfer process. On board the ships, the Korean Flag was lowered while the Navy Band played the Korean National Anthem, slowly taking down the Korean Flag and folding it properly, while Norwegian Sailors hoisted the Norwegian Flag as their national anthem was played by the Korean Navy Band. The vessels would placed under the command of their Norwegian Counterparts as the Korean Officers handed over control of the ship to the Norwegians. The Norwegian Sailors would move to their respective ships in the end of the handover ceremony for the six vessels. Largely a special circumstance due to the unique circumstances, the ceremony had largely been completed with the Norwegian Sailors taking control of their vessels. The Ministers, naval officers, representatives from Korea's shipbuilding industry, and Busan city officials took a photo near the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships for media usage later.

 

[Zak]

With the formalities over, Norwegian sailors had made their way onto the ship with any equipment which they had transferred with them from Norway to South Korea and would settle into their new homes. The commanding officers took control of their ships as a couple of hours had gone by as they finished loading the ships with equipment such as weaponry for their journey home as well as food, drinks and essentials for enough of the crew on board.

The sailors lined the outside of the ships, and those on the two amphibious docks would stand on the landing decks as the ships made their maiden voyage and left port back for Norway.

 

[Jay]

As the Norwegian Navy would depart Busan Naval Port following their NAVTEX route while escorted by Korean tugboats a Korean Navy KA-31 as they exited Korean Maritime Borders and Exclusive Economic Zone. The crew would find some food, comics, and other items left behind some Korean sailors as a welcoming present, while the Captain of the HNoMS Harald V - Haakonsvern would find a copy of The Art of War in its English translation as well as the cooler in his office filled with Korean Alcohol. A note wishing him well was given by Captain Kim Jiwong of the R.O.K.N. Paju. As the Norwegians returned home, the Koreans would clean up the ceremony stands as they returned to the normal procedures of the base, and prepared for their own naval operation. Zak