Fascinating posting from Mingi Hyun about the possible expansion of ROK naval power into the Indian Ocean:

According to a media report citing an anonymous South Korean defense official, the United States Navy (USN) has reportedly suggested a need for the USN and ROKN to establish and increase naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean through the conduct of joint operations aimed at tackling seaborne threats, such as piracy, in order to safeguard civilian vessels from both countries.

As an initial step in this process, the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff has announced that the ROKN has for the first time stationed one of its commanders at the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, discussions for which had begun in mid-2007 while the South Korean government was in hostage talks around Somalia for the release of South Korean hostages. The purpose of his/her stationing is reportedly to increase USN-ROKN cooperation, as well as to begin the process of forming a USN-ROKN joint operations structure. In addition to initiatives in Bahrain, the USN will reportedly take part in the training of the ROKN in the conduct of expeditionary operations. The ROKN is one of over 20 navies that has an officer stationed with the US 5th Fleet.

With regards to South Korean rationale behind accepting the USN’s offer, a media report quoted a South Korean defense official as saying, “South Korea’s national power has increased, and it is apparent there has been an escalation of threats from pirates against fishing vessels operating overseas in areas such as the coast of Somalia…. This measure was decided upon in order to expand the structure of the US-ROK alliance, and to provide greater safety for our citizens.”  [HT: Marmot's Hole]

Read the whole thing here.

This should be looked at as a welcomed transformation in the US-ROK Alliance with Korea taking more responsibility for maintaining security in the Indian Ocean in partnership with the US Navy.  Korea has had plenty of issues with Somali pirates kidnapping ROK citizens in the Indian Ocean, but Korea also has a stake in maintaining the security of sea lanes through the Straits of Malacca.  Korea is fifth in the world in oil imports and all those imports go through the Straits of Malacca.  Any distruption of this sea lane would be devestating to the Korean economy. 

It is good see that Korea is thinking beyond the Cold War era alliance structure and seeking more responsibility for maintaining global security.  Wouldn’t be something that if in the future a South Korean naval vessel is coming to the aid of a North Korean freighter attacked by pirates instead of the US Navy.