South Korea decommissions two Ulsan-class frigates, one Pohang-class corvette

The three retired warships during the ceremonies last December 2019. Photo c/o ROKN.

As it continues to modernize its surface combat fleet, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has recently retired two (2) of its Ulsan-class frigates, and a Pohang-class corvette.

The frigates ROKS Masan (FF-955) and ROKS Gyeongbuk (FF-956) and the corvette ROKS Suncheon (PCC-767) were decommissioned during ceremonies held on 24 December 2019.

The frigates are all above 30 years old in service, with the ROKS Masan commissioned on July 1985, ROKS Gyeongbuk on May 1986, while the corvette ROKS Suncheon was commissioned on June 1989. 

All ships are being replaced with new Daegu-class frigates being introduced to the ROKN, with the two more ships, the Gyeongnam (FFG-819) and Seoul (FFG-821) expected to be commissioned with the ROKN by 2021, while more ships of the class are under construction.
It is expected that all three ships would be turned over to the ROKN’s training group although its final disposal is still unknown. It is expected that the South Korean government may offer it for grant or sale to friendly countries, similar to what they have done to earlier Ulsan and Pohang-class ships.

Some Ulsan-class frigates were reportedly offered to Argentina and Vietnam, and Pohang-class corvettes are in service with the navies of Egypt, Vietnam, Philippines, and the coast guard of Peru. Both the Philippines and Vietnam has shown interest to acquire more Pohang-class corvettes from South Korea.


[1] Republic of Korea Navy
[2] Jane’s Navy International