Jang Bogo, the 1,200-ton submarine that opened the era of submarines for the Korean military, ended its final voyage on the 19th ahead of retirement at the end of this year, putting a period on 34 years of duty.

According to the Navy, Jang Bogo departed Jinhae Naval Port in the afternoon and conducted its final voyage for about two hours. Joining this voyage were the first commanding officer, An Byeong-gu, a retired brigadier general who led the country's first voyage right after commissioning, and four first intake transfer crew members at the time, including the weapons officer and the command master chief. When Jang Bogo returned from the mission, every submarine moored at Jinhae Naval Port sounded its horn to celebrate the completion of the mission.

Jang Bogo, the Republic of Korea Navy's first submarine that ushers in the Navy's submarine era, departs Jinhae Naval Port on the afternoon of Nov. 19 for its final voyage. /Courtesy of the Navy

Jang Bogo began construction in 1988 at Germany's HDW shipyard and was launched in 1991. Delivered to the Navy in 1992, it began its mission in June 1993 as the Korean Navy's first submarine. Since then, through this year, Jang Bogo has sailed about 342,000 miles (about 633,000 kilometers), more than 15 times around the globe, over 34 years.

Jang Bogo also proved its performance in overseas exercises. In the 2004 Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), it virtually sank more than 30 ships, including a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and was not detected even once in the process. It also took part in the 2013 South Korea–U.S. combined anti-submarine warfare exercise (Silent Shark) and the 2016 Western Pacific submarine escape and rescue exercise (PAC-REACH). A Navy official said it was "an example that showcased the Korean Navy's superior submarine operation capabilities."

On the 18th, Jang Bogo, the Republic of Korea Navy's first submarine, lies moored at Jinhae Naval Base ahead of its final voyage the following day. /Courtesy of the Navy

Jang Bogo carried out operational missions through 2023 and was converted to a training ship last year. It has supported missions such as training submarine crew members and maintaining qualifications.

Lt. Cmdr. Lee Jae-gwon, commanding officer of Jang Bogo, said, "Jang Bogo was the dream of the submarine force and a symbol of challenge that laid the cornerstone for the creation of the Submarine Command," adding, "We will continue to carry on Jang Bogo's pioneering spirit and perfectly fulfill our mission as the silent guardian protecting Korea's security."

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