Royal Australian Navy officers Lieutenant Kane Kasemchainan and Sub-Lieutenant Yasmin Dench recently joined the South Korean Navy’s training ship ROKS Hansando for a month as part of its annual Cruise Training Task Group deployment. 

The cruise marked the culmination of training for the 80th class of midshipmen from the South Korean Naval Academy, celebrating graduation after four years of study.

At the time of the deployment, Lieutenant Kasemchainan, then a sub-lieutenant, and fellow junior officer Sub-Lieutenant Dench, were both chosen to join the South Korean Navy’s Cruise Training Task Group. It was a rare and highly valued opportunity for the RAN officers in the early stages of their careers. 

For Lieutenant Kasemchainan, the month-long voyage offered a chance to immerse himself in Korean naval culture, observe South Korean Navy practices firsthand and build friendships that will endure well beyond the deployment.

“Joining the Hansando Cruise Training Task Group was an incredible opportunity to learn from our Korean counterparts and experience their traditions, training methods and life at sea,” Lieutenant Kasemchainan said.

“It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my naval career, allowing me to represent the RAN, build international connections and form friendships that will last a lifetime.”

The deployment began with an official reception in Sydney before the ship sailed on a broader regional itinerary that included stops across Asia and the Pacific. The RAN officers joined for the South-East Asian leg, visiting Surabaya in Indonesia, Klang in Malaysia and Changi in Singapore.

'It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my naval career, allowing me to represent the RAN, build international connections and form friendships that will last a lifetime.'

During their time on board, Lieutenant Kasemchainan and Sub-Lieutenant Dench participated in cultural and professional activities. These included taekwondo sessions led by the South Korean Navy’s professional team, traditional Korean music workshops (Samulnori), navigation and engineering familiarisation. 

They also delivered briefs on the Royal Australian Navy and attended official receptions in each port. Voyage highlights included the Crossing-the-Line ceremony and a lively concert at sea performed by the ship’s band.

Sub-Lieutenant Dench said it was an invaluable opportunity to enhance diplomatic and social skills and gain a better understanding of life at sea on a Navy warship. 

“Participating in the Hansando Cruise Training Task Group was an incredible opportunity and experience that broadened my understanding of the [South Korean] ROK Naval operations and cultural exchange,” Sub-Lieutenant Dench said.

“Engaging with the Korean crew through shared activities like navigation familiarisation, taekwondo, Samulnori workshops and official receptions fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. This deployment not only enhanced my skills, but also deepened my appreciation for diverse naval traditions and practices, which I believe will benefit my future career and our ongoing partnerships.”

The deployment reinforces the strong ties between Australia and South Korea and underscores the importance of close cooperation between our nations in maintaining security and stability within the maritime domain.