Korea Coast Guard

The Korea Coast Guard (KCG; Korean: 해양경찰청; Hanja: 海洋警察廳, Revised Romanization: Haeyang-gyeongchal-cheong, literally Maritime Police Agency) is a South Korean law enforcement sub-agency responsible for maritime safety and control off the coast. The KCG is an independent and external branch of Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

Korea Coast Guard
해양경찰청
Haeyang-gyeongchal-cheong
KCG emblem

Flag

Ensign
AbbreviationKCG
Agency overview
FormedJuly 2017 – present (as 해양경찰청), December 1953 – November 2014 (as 해양경찰청)
November 2014 – July 2017 (as 국민안전처 해양경비안전본부)
Employees10,095 personnel[1]
Jurisdictional structure
National agencySouth Korea
Operations jurisdictionSouth Korea
Operational structure
HeadquartersIncheon, South Korea
Elected officer responsible
  • Cho Hyun-bai[2]
Parent agencyMinistry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (2017~)
Ministry of Public Safety and Security (2014~2017)
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (1996~2014)
Korean National Police Agency (1953~1996)[3]
KCG vessel No. 3006 sailing alongside U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) in August 2007

The KCG has its headquarters in Sejong City has hundreds of smaller operating stations along the coastline of the Korean Peninsula. It operates 4 classes of heavy vessels (over 1000 tons), 3 classes of medium vessels (over 250 tons), and 3 classes of light vessels (speedboats over 30 tons). The KCG also uses several types of 'special purpose watercraft', such as firefighting vessels, barges, high-speed scout boats, light patrols, and amphibious hovercraft. The KCG aviation unit fields 6 fixed-wing aircraft and 16 rotary-wing aircraft. The Coast Guard also had its own asymmetric warfare unit named the 'Korean Coast Guard Special Operation Unit'.

History

A Kamov Ka-32 of the Republic of Korea Coast Guard
ROK Coast Guard, 122 Rescue Unit, Yeosu

The Coast Guard Authority was formed on 23 December 1953 in Busan, at the same time a Maritime Police Unit was also established as part of the National Police Agency. In October 1962, new bases were established in Incheon, Yeosu, Pohang, and Kunsan. In February 1963, the aviation unit of the KCG closed, though it reopened in the 1980s. From 1980 onwards, the KCG greatly expanded its fleet, and in August 1991, the Police Unit was renamed the Korea National Maritime Police Agency. In 2007 the Korea National Maritime Police Agency was integrated into the Coast Guard. In the early 21st century, the fleet expanded to include various vessels of over 3,000 tons, and as of January 2002, the 'Korean Coast Guard Special Operation Unit' was officially formed. In the May 2008, the "Search & Rescue Maintenance Unit" was newly constructed, and as of late 2008, various sub-agencies changed infrastructural composition. Before its disestablishment the Korean Coast Guard had planned to field more vessels over 5000 tons by 2015, and to significantly expand its asymmetric warfare force through encouraging participation from other police branches.

Disestablishment

On May 18, 2014, President Park Geun-hye announced South Korea's "plans to break up its coastguard" after failing to respond well during the MV Sewol ferry disaster.[4] According to Park, "investigation and information roles would be transferred to the South Korea National Police while the rescue and salvage operation and ocean security roles would be transferred to the Department for National Safety, not to be confused with the Korean Ministry of Security and Public Administration, which will be newly established".[5]

On November 7, 2014, the National Assembly declared that the South Korean Coast Guard be disbanded as a result of South Korean lawmakers voting 146 to 71 in favor of transferring the Coast Guard's investigative responsibilities to the South Korea National Police Agency and establishing a broader safety agency.[3][6][7][8] As a result, the South Korean Coast Guard is again under the Ministry of Public Safety and Security.

Resurrection

Newly elected President Moon Jae-in announced his plan to re-organise the ministries and government agencies. Following the approval of the National Assembly, the Korea Coast Guard was revived on July 26, 2017 as an independent, external agency under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

Goals

(From the English home page of the Korea Coast Guard)

  • Develop and maintain operational capability to ensure national maritime sovereignty.
  • Be recognized by the nation as the guardian of maritime security.
  • Become the foremost maritime security agency in Northeast Asia.
  • Develop and improve the ability to respond to maritime search and rescue requirements throughout the area of responsibility.
  • Develop and improve the ability to preserve and protect the maritime environment.
  • Be fully responsive to public requests for administrative services.
  • Continually improve the organization and operation of the agency.

Main Duties

(From the English home page of the Korean Coast Guard)

  • 1. Search and Rescue

Korea Coast Guard performs to respond speedy and effective rescue activities in order to save a precious life and to protect property when it occurred maritime accidents.

  • 2. Maritime Security

Korea Coast Guard ensures to protect sea from maritime crime and keep maritime security and peace.

  • 3. Marine Environmental Protection

Korea Coast Guard has always been in the forefront for surveillance of marine pollution and prevention of hazardous spills in order to keep waters clean and to preserve abundant marine resources.

  • 4. International Affairs

We, Korea Coast Guard, always do our best to respond quickly against international maritime crimes including enforcement of Alien Migrant Interdiction by seizing current tendency of international crime.

  • 5. Maritime Traffic Safety Management

Korea Coast Guard provides an unlimited protection to secure maritime tourism, safe marine recreational activities, and to keep people from any kind of potential dangers and barriers.

  • 6. Maritime Pollution Response

Korea Coast Guard performs to build a clean maritime environment through prevention activities thoroughly against hazardous spills or discharge and perfect pollution control.

Equipment

Aircraft

These are quoted from "Korea Coast Guard 2012 White Paper"[1]

Aircraft Type In service Cruise speed Capacity Endurance Ferry range Notes
Fixed-wing
CL-604(Bombardier Challenger 600)Search and rescue airplane1833㎞/h11 passengers8 hours6,667㎞
C-212(CASA C-212 Aviocar)Search and rescue airplane1370㎞/h7 passengers5 hours1,482㎞
CN-235(CASA/IPTN CN-235)Search and rescue airplane4394㎞/h12 passengers7 hours2,037㎞
Rotary-wing
Bell 412SPSAR purpose helicopter1218㎞/h9 passengers3.5 hours722㎞
KA-32C(Kamov Ka-27)SAR purpose helicopter8211㎞/h12 passengers4 hours852㎞
AgustaWestland AW139SAR purpose helicopter2305㎞/h10 passengers3.9 hours819㎞
Eurocopter AS565 PantherMBVessel-carried helicopter5296㎞/h8 passengers3.3 hours796㎞
Sikorsky S-92SAR purpose helicopter2, with an option for up to 2 additional[9]280㎞/h19 passengers6 hours1,000 ㎞

List of ships of the Republic of Korea Coast Guard

These are quoted from "Naver 블로그 지식의 수집광"[10]

Class Displacement (empty) In service Hull number/In commission Displacement (full load) Builder Armament
Large Patrol Vessel
Sam Bong5,000 tonnes2KCG Sam Bong (ARS 5001)/2002
KCG Lee Cheong Ho (ARS 5002)/2015
6,350 tonnes
6,500 tonnes
Hyundai Heavy IndustriesOTO Melara 76 mm canon(5002 Only), Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Tae Pyung Yang (Pacific)3,000 tonnes133001/1994
3002/1998
3003/2003
3005/2004
3006/2005
3007/2006
3008/2008
3009/2010
3010/2010
3011/2012(Training Role)
3012/2012
3013/2015
3015/2015
4,450 tonnes
3,860 tonnes
3,900 tonnes
3,900 tonnes
3,900 tonnes
3,900 tonnes
3,900 tonnes


4,200 tonnes


Hanjin Heavy Industries
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hyundai Heavy Industries
STX Offshore & Shipbuilding
Hyundai Heavy Industries
STX Offshore & Shipbuilding
STX Offshore & Shipbuilding
2 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
1 x OTO Melara 40 mm, 1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Je Min1,500 tonnes121501/1988
1502/1996
1503/2000
1505/2001
1506/2004
1507/2004
1508/2005
1509/2007
1510/2007
1511/2008
1512/2011
1513/2012
2,200 tonnes
2,246 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,700 tonnes
2,265 tonnes
2,265 tonnes
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering

Hanjin Heavy Industries

Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Hyundai Heavy Industries
STX Offshore & Shipbuilding
STX Offshore & Shipbuilding
Sea Vulcan 20 mm

Sea Vulcan 20 mm

Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Sea Vulcan 20 mm
3 x Sea Vulcan 20 mm

1 x OTO Melara 40 mm, 1 x 20 mm Sea Vulcan
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
HAN-RIVER1,000 tonnes91001/2012
1002/2012
1003/2013
1005/2015
1006/1997
1007/2002
1008/2004
1009/2009
1010/2012
1,530tonnes
1,530 tonnes
1,600 tonnes
1,600 tonnes
1,630 tonnes
1,860 tonnes
1,860 tonnes
1,860 tonnes
1,530 tonnes
Hyundai Heavy Industries

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding
STX Offshore & Shipbuilding

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm

Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Breda 40mm, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Doosan DST 'No Bong' dual 40mm gun, Sea Vulcan 20 mm
Class Displacement (empty) In service Country of origin Hull number Notes
Medium Sized Patrol Vessel
Taegeuk500 tonnes16 South Korea501~518
Haeuri(type A)300 tonnes22 South Korea300~303, 305~307, 308~323
Haeuri(type B)250 tonnes2 South Korea278,279
Haeuri(type C)200 tonnes2 South Korea201,202
Small sized patrol vessel
Haenuri100 tonnes26 South Korea103~131
P class(type A)30~50 tonnes82 South KoreaP01~P102, P105~P112, P127
P class(type B)30,50,100 tonnes20 South Korea
Special Vessel
S class(coastal patrol boat)4.5t53 South KoreaS01~S70
Fireboat200t1 South Korea
Response Vessel12t, 50t, 85t, 140t, 150t, 450t33 South Korea
All-Weather Amphibious Hovercraft8 South Korea

Charter of the Republic of Korea Coast Guard

(From the English home page of the Korean Coast Guard)

  • "We are the proud Korea Coast Guard to secure our own sea by inheriting a spirit and a tradition of the marine nation. We are charged with the historical mission to protect freedom and interest of the public, and pursue peace and prosperity of Nation, furthermore, makes contribution to the peace of the world. Therefore, we pledge to accomplish our assigned duties and clarify the KCG's direction."
  • We are a devoted Coast Guard undaunted by any affliction as a leading protagonist of the maritime security
  • We are a righteous Coast Guard who properly administers the law according to the own conscience as the symbol of the law and justice.
  • We are a global Coast Guard who maintains international maritime order and conserves a sea which is mutual asset among all nations.
  • We are a growing Coast Guard who aims for the future by developing the knowledge and ability with the creative attitude.

Command

Formerly called Korea Maritime Police, is led by a Commissioner of the KCG and a deputy Commissioner.

The KCG is divided into six Bureaus and 23 Divisions. There are 16 KCG stations with 74 branch offices and 245 subagencies.

Other related agencies include:

  • KCG Academy
  • KCG R&D Center
  • KCG Maintenance Agency

Fleet

  • Patrol Boats
  • Law Enforcement Craft
  • Pollution Response Boats
  • Aircraft
  • Search and Rescue Craft

References

North: Russian FSB Coast Guard
West: China Coast Guard Korea Coast Guard East: Japan Coast Guard United States Coast Guard
South: Philippine Coast Guard Republic of China Coast Guard
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.