South Korea decommissions 3 Pohang-class corvettes, 5 Chamsuri-class fast patrol boats

 

The three Pohang-class corvettes that were decommissioned by ROKN on 28 December 2021. Photo c/o ROKN.

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has decommissioned 3 Pohang-class corvettes and 5 Chamsuri-class fast patrol boats, all of which served in securing South Korean waters and interests for more than 30 years. 

The Pohang-class corvettes that were retired are the Flight IV corvettes ROKS Wonju (PCC-769), ROKS Seongnam (PCC-775) and ROKS Jecheon (PCC-776), which were commissioned with the ROKN between 1988 and 1989.

Also retired were the Chamsuri-class fast patrol boats with hull number 313, 315, 317, 318 and 319, which have been in service with the ROKN since the 1980s.

All 8 ships were decommissioned from service with the ROKN on 28 December 2021 at the Jinhae Naval Base in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam, with ROKN Naval Operations Commander Kang Dong-hoon presiding the ceremonies.

The decommissioned ships were involved in several homeland defense duties including participation in the 2nd Yeongpyeong Naval War and patrolling the Northern Limit Line in the maritime borders with North Korea.

No confirmation has been made on the fate of the decommissioned ships.

The ROKN has been modernizing its naval forces, retiring frontline combat ships from the 1980s including the Pohang-class corvettes, Ulsan-class frigates and Chamsuri-class fast patrol boats.

Over the years, these ships have been replaced with the Incheon and Daegu-class frigates, as well as the upcoming FFX-3 frigate, as well as the Yoon Youngha-class patrol vessels.|

Seveal of the Pohang-class corvettes have already been transferred to other countries including Colombia, Egypt, Peru, the Philippines, and Vietnam.




[1] Yonhap News Agency