On July 17-19, the South Korean vessels ROKS Yang Man Choon and ROKS Hwa Cheon training unit visited Vancouver, British Columbia, as part of their 2010 training cruise.

ROKS Yang Man Choon (sometimes spelt “Chun”) DDH-973 is a 3800-ton KD-1 class destroyer commissioned in 2000. She is armed with an OTO Melara 5”/54, two Goalkeeper CIWS, 16 Sea Sparrows, 8 Harpoons, and 2 triple torpedo launchers.

ROKS Hwa Cheon AOE-59 is a Fast Combat Support ship.

As you can see in the photos, the AOE was moored outboard of the DDH. Visitors were permitted to enter a small section of the AOE, where an exhibition of naval models and weapons were held. Also in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, a general theme of thanks and appreciation towards countries who took part in the UN force that pushed back the North Koreans was prevalent.

In some of the photos, you’ll see the port side hatch to the 5”/54 turret is open. This was not intentional. One of the visitors had undogged the hatch, opened it, and then closed it. Another visitor then decided to also open it, but did not close it. Seeing the unattended nature of the hatch, I informed one of the Korean officers amidships, who then, somewhat flustered, ran forward to close the hatch…but not before I took a shot or two of the inside of the turret!

Hangar pics were requested, but as you can see, they decided to hide everything behind giant banners. Blah.