The Republic of Korea Navy unveiled 20 character designs called "Badajigi," based on its operational warships and aircraft, on Friday to commemorate the 31st Sea Day.
Sea Day is a legal commemorative day designated in 1996 to raise public awareness of the importance of marine development and the sea. It marks the month (May 828) when Jang Bogo of the Silla Dynasty established the Cheonghaejin maritime garrison.
"Badajigi, meaning 'friends who guard the sea,' are characters created by personifying the surface ships, submarines, and aircraft operated by the Navy," a Navy official said. "They were created to enhance public familiarity and to boost the sense of belonging and pride of Navy personnel."
The Badajigi lineup consists of a total of 20 characters, including 13 surface force characters, one underwater force character, three aviation force characters, and three characters symbolizing the Navy's history.
Surface force characters include "Bangpaejigi," modeled after the Aegis destroyer (DDG); "Cheonghaejigi," based on the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer (DDH-II); and "Hamdaejigi," representing the Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer (DDH-I).
For underwater forces, "Sujungjigi" represents the 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class submarine (SS-II). For aviation forces, the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and the MH-60R and AW-159 maritime operations helicopters retain their original names as characters: "Poseidon," "Seahawk," and "Wildcat."
The Navy also created characters based on the Baekdusan (PC-701), its first combat ship; the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin at the Korea Naval Academy; and the Geobukseon (turtle ship), which played a key role during the Imjin War.
The Badajigi characters will be used in online and offline content, including the Navy's social media accounts and public print and promotional materials.
