BUSAN, Republic of Korea (June 20, 2019) – To commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Korea Strait, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Fleet Navy Band and U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Band performed a ROK-US Navy Patriotic Concert, June 20.
The two navies have held these concerts biannually in Seoul and Busan since 2015.
The Battle of Korea Strait, the first naval battle of the Korean War—fought on the first day of the war—was an early significant victory for ROK forces. In the battle, the ROKS Bak Du San repelled an attempted landing in Busan by a North Korean transport ship and later sank the enemy vessel in the Korea Strait, south of Busan.
ROK navy Cmdr. Dongmin Jo, commanding officer of the ROK Navy Headquarters Band, said he is proud of the joint patriotic concerts.
“It is yet another way in which we can highlight the strong ROK-USA alliance and do so through the language of music,” he said. “It also serves to inspire patriotism and confidence with the people of Korea."
The concert, performed at the Busan Cultural Center and hosted by Vice Adm. Park Ki-Kyung, commander, ROK Fleet, was attended by Rear Adm. Michael "Buzz" Donnelly, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK), and several other CNFK attendees.
Donnelly said events such as the joint concert help strengthen the close relationship the two countries enjoy.
"Cooperative engagements such as tonight's concert are foundational to the strength of our ironclad alliance with the ROK navy," Donnelly said. "And perhaps more important to those in attendance, the Koreans and the U.S. 7th Fleet band are all true professionals who put on a great show."
CNFK is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and provides expertise on naval matters to area military commanders, including the commander for the United Nations Command; the Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command; and commander, U.S. Forces Korea. CNFK also serves as liaison to the ROK navy and the Combined Forces commander staff in armistice and in wartime to commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan.