Nomenclature of ROKN cold war ships
Conventional destroyers
Chung Mu class destroyers (1963)
ROKN Seoul (DD912) in 1968 - src navypedia.
Built in 1943, the three Fletcher class destroyers USS Herben, Halsey Powell and Hickox built in Bath Iron Works, Bethlehem Staten island and Federal, Kearny were the first destroyers transferred to the ROKN, the first (renamed Chungmu and Seoul) two in April and May 1963 and a third (renamed Pusan) in November 1968. They had been modernized as ASW destroyers with new electronics and sonar. Chungmu and Pusan were armed with five 127/38 Mk 30, two twin 40/60 Mk 2 and a 40/60 Mk 1, two triple ASW 324 TT, and two 24-tubes (178) Hedgehog Mk 10/11 ASWRL, plus 2 DCR while ROKS Seoul AA comprised two quadruple 40/60 Mk 2 AA. They were leased until 1977 and then purchased. Pennant numbers were 91-93 and they were discarded in 1982 (Seoul), 1989 (Pusan) and used as training ship from 1898 (Chungmu) - current status unknown. Chungmugong was the posthumous name given to the great military commanders of the Joseon Dynasty.
Chung Buk class destroyers (1972)

ROKS Jeongbuk (DD916) in Auckland in the 1980s - src navsource.org
As the Fletchers were an obsolete design in 1972 (The USN just were launching the modular, huge Spruance class), ROKS leased two bath Iron Works destroyers this year: Two Gearing FRAM II, former radar picket converted, USS Chevalier and E.F. Larson. They were acquired in July and October 1972. Armament was similar to to the FRAM II standard, and comprised the same as FRAM II, but in 1976, a 20 mm Vulcan-Phalanx CIWS was installed on Chungbuk's hangar roof, a twin 30/75 Emerlec-30 on her sister-ship and the next year, both were purchased. In 1979, Chungbuk and Jeongbuk were modernized, with two quadruple Harpoon SSM (8 RGM-84) canisters fitted with a small hangar and reinforced, enlarged flight deck for a light Alouette III helicopter (formerly it was a DASH drone). From 1986 to the late 1980s, both ships were fitted with an ULQ-6 ECM and T-Mk 6 Fanfare torpedo decoy, and a triple 20/76 Sea Vulcan and later Jeonbuk had a twin 30/75 and two triple 20/76 Sea Vulcan systems. Both were still in service in the late 1990s and Chungbuk was sold for scrap and dismantled in December 2000 while Jeongbuk was preserved and converted as a museum ship.
DD916 Jeonbuk as a museum ship as of today (cc).
Dae Gu class destroyers (1973)
DD917 Daegu decommissioned in 2000, Jindae, with other FRAM type destroyers.
A year after in 1973 were acquired two modernized Allen M Sumner class destroyers, ex-Wallace L. Lind and De Haven, built in 1944 and both transferred in December 1973. They had been thoroughy modernized in the 1960s FRAM II standard, and were armed with three twin 127/38 Mk 38, two triple 324 ASW TT, two 24-rubes 178 Hedgehog Mk 11 ASWRL, one DCR and carried and electronic suite comprising the radars SPS-10, SPS-40, Mk 25 radars, SQS-29, SQA-10/29 sonars, WLR-1 ECM suite and two decoy RL.
They also had a small flight deck for a DASH and later LAMPS III helicopter. Both renamed Dae Gu and In Cheon were leased and purchased in 1977. Modernization included in 1976 a triple 20/76 Sea Vulcan, in 1978 and Alouette III helicopter plus revised hangar and flight deck and the next year two twin Harpoon SSM (4 RGM-84) canisters and in the early 1980s two twin 40 mm/60 Mk 1 AA guns. Incheon (DD918) was stricken in 1993 but DaeGu was still in operations in the 1990s, stricken in 2000.
Kang Won class destroyers (1974)
ROKN Kang Won and Kang Ju decommissioning ceremony in 2000, Chinhae, South Kyongsang Province.
Certainly the best remembered destroyers of the ROKN in the cold war were the five Kwangwon class destroyers, former Gearing FRAM I conversons. They were the former W.R. Rush, R.E. Kraus, New, Rogers, and N.M. Perry, transferred respectively in 1974, 1977, and 1981, and renamed (pennant 919-925) Kwangwon, Kwangju, Taejon, Jeongju and Kyongkai. As FRAM I ships they had been comprehensively rebuilt with a new bridge and superstructures, new electronics suite, revised armament, and a LAMPS helicopter.
Armament as transferred comprised on Taejon, kwangwon and Kwangju two twin 127/38 Mk 38, two triple 324 ASW TT, two Hedgehog Mk 11 ASWRL and a 1 DCR with the SPS-10, SPS-40, Mk 25 radars, SQS-23 sonar, WLR-1, ULQ-6 ECM suites and two decoy RL, while Jeongju and KyongKai, the 1981 batch, were armed with an octuple ASROC ASuR (17 RUR-5) in central position and their electronic suite included also the SPS-29 radar. In 1979 the first three were armed with two quadruple Harpoon SSM (8 RGM-84C) canisters, and in the early 1980s they all received the ULQ-6 ECM suite, and on the first three a twin 40 mm/60 Mk 1, and two triple 20/76 Sea Vulcan systems plus an Alouette III helicopter with an enlarged hangar and strenghtened, widened flight deck.
In the 1980s other changes comprised the adoption of the T-Mk 6 Fanfare torpedo decoy and in the mid-1990s on Taejon and Kwang Ju the SPS-40 and DA-08 radars and on Kwang won the SPS-29 and DA-08 radar, SQS-23 sonar and DE 1191 sonar for Tae Jon, Kwang Ju, Kwang Won. All were listed extant in the later 1990s and were later stored at the National Security Experience Park, Jeongdongjin, Gangwon-Do. They had been scrapped in the 2000s.
ROKS Jeongju (DD925) in 1981 - src navsource
Frigates and lighter ships
Du Man class frigates (1950)
Ex-Tacoma class frigates transferred in 1950-52: Du Man, Apnok, Tae Tong, Nak Tong, Im Chin. They were amongst the 32 vessels of the class transferred to the USSR with lend-lease, returned to USN in Japan in 1949 and loaned to ROKN. No changes since their initial state, they grew obsolescent in the 1970s while two more were towed from Japan for cannibalisation in 1969. Apnok was damaged in a collision in 1952, sunk as target 1963. They were stricken circa 1974.
Kyong Ki class frigates (1950)

Kyong ki and Kyong Won were former Cannon class (DET) escort destroyer from Tampa SB yard, transferred from Boston to the Korean navy in February 1956 and in 1977 stricken and transferred to the Philippine Navy. Note a single DET-class, former USS Holt, built at Dafoe Bay City was leased from 1963 and built outright by the Korean Gvt. on 15 November 1974, to be stricken in 1984.
Ulsan class frigates (1980)
Ulsan, Seoul, Chungnam, Keongbuk, Cheonnam, Cheju, Busan, Chungju

The Uslan class were probably the most important shipbuilding program of Korean History during the cold war. They were the first truly local large, sea going warships, entirely designed in South Korea and built by all the yards recently completed. The class comprised nine ships, well armed for their size, multi-purpose frigates. Machinery, armament and electronics were American or US-derived, but also British and Dutch for the radars and sensors. Only seven were active during the cold war as the first Ulsan, was launched in 1980 and completed in 1981 and after the first batch of three, another order was made in 1981 and another in 1984. Cheju, Busan, ChungJu were commissioned after the fall of USSR, the last two being launched in 1992.
Design-wise they had a steel hull but composite alloy superstructure. They were criticized for not having helicopter facilities however and their ASW capability was limited to two 324 mm ASW TT banks and two Deep Charges racks. Their AA was impressive however, and the Harpoon gave them noted anti-ship capabilities. The armament was purchased off-shelf like the fire guidance systems and optronics: The 76 mm were the OTO-Melara classic 76 mm superfast guns, completed in alternance by either US-built Emerlec twin guns or Breda 40 mm twin guns.
They had the British HSA Lior optronic directors, Combat data system 957-58 and Siemens/ferranti WSA 423. All ships were also fitted with the SQL-25 nixie torpedo decoys. An additionnal serie of eight was thought of to replace ex-US Destroyeres but India was given this extra serie, with many modifications. Much larger Frigates displacing 3900 tonnes, for 135 m were planed for 1992n equipped with an helicopter hangar and flight deck for a Westland Super lynx model. The first was scheduled to be laid down at Daewoo, Okpo in mid-1992, and the class was known as the HDF-3500/KDX 2000 or DW 4000. Eventually the program evolved into fully-fledged Destroyers whereas Corvettes were built instead to the lower end.
Specifications:
- Displacement: 1495/1600 t standard, 2180 t FL, 2300 for 4 ships
- Dimensions: 105 (98pp) x 12 x 3.5 m
- Powerplant: 2 shaft CODOG 2 GE LM 2500 GT 54400 shp 35 knots 400 nm/18 knots
- Armament: 8 Harpoons SSM, 2x 76mm OTO, 8x 30mm/85 Emerlec/Breda 40mm/70
- Electronics: HSA DA-05, ZW-06, WM-28, SPS 10c, PHS-32, see notes
Pohang class corvettes (1984)

A kind of reduced version of the Uslan class, general purpose corvettes used first for coastal defense, with a total of 24 vessels built (only 12 remaining in service today, as of 2020). The earlier ones has been sold after being discarded in the 2000s (2009 to 2013). The first is still extant as a museum ship in the city of Pohang. Others were sold to Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Egypt, the Philippines, and Vietnam (2). With a 950 tonnes displacement light they were heavily armed, with AA guns and a comprehensive electronics suite which was modified between the early and late ships.
The Pohang was completed in December 1984, and the last, Gongju, in July 1993 (Flight VI). Armament was comprehsenive and varied over time. The first ships carried a single OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact cannons (on Flight II), replaced by the two of the same on Flight III - VI. The first serie also had two twin Emerson Emerlec-30 Oelikon 30 mm/75 KCB cannons, replaced on the next series on two twin OTO breda 40mm/70 cal and for antiship defence, the first serie was armed with two twin canisters MM-38 Exocet, same numbers of RGM-84 Harpoon Block 1B on Flight IV and same of SSM-700K Haeseong (on Flight V - VI). For anti-submarine warfare, two three twin Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (on Flight II - IV) or the same of Korean built KMk 32 TTs with K745 Chung Sang Eo torpedoes on Flight V - VI. As usual they also carried 12 Mark 9 depth charges in racks and for AA defense they also carried two short-range Mistral MANPADS, while for landings and shore operations or coast guard intimidation, they were fitted also with two K6 HMG or M60 GPMG.
Electronics side, the suite varied among the armament and series: Surface search radar AN/SPS-64 (Flight II - IV), AN/SPS-55 (Flight V), SPS-300K (Flight V - VI). For Fire control system: Signaal LIOD (Flight II - III), Radamec 2400 (Flight IV - VI) and for Combat system SEWACO ZK (Flight II - III), WSA-423 (Flight IV - VI). For the search radar, it was the Marconi S1810 (Flight IV - VI) and the tracking radar was the Marconi ST1802 for late series only. The sonar for all was the ANSQS-58. For decoys they had four Mel Protean Chaff Launchers and from the III flight SLQ-260KA2 and SLQ-261K TACM.
Specifications:
- Displacement: 950 t standard, 1200-1300 t FL
- Dimensions: 88 x 10 x 2.9 m
- Powerplant: 2 shaft CODOG, 2 CP props, 1 GE LM 2500 GT, 2 MTU diesels
- Performances: 27800 -6200 shp 35 knots 400 nm/18 knots
- Armament: 76 mm OTO, 8x 30mm/85 Emerlec/Breda 40mm/70, see notes
- Electronics: HSA DA-05, ZW-06, WM-28, SPS 10c, PHS-32, see notes
Dong Hae class corvettes (1982)
ROKS Su Song
Four corvettes built to serve as coast guard ships. Each is armed with a single Oto Melara 76 mm compact gun and three AA guns while the two 324 mm ASW torpedoes two six-charges racks were optional (they were fitted anyway). In wartime the electroniocs suite would have been bolstered and missiles added, either MM-38 exocet or Harpoon missiles. The TT fired Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes but there was a provision for 6 Mark 46 torpedoes and the depht charges were of the Mark 9 type.
They were based on the later Pohang class but "budget-savyy". To gain time, each of the four ship were built in separate yards: ROKS Donghae (PCC-751) (launched 1982), Suwon, Gangneung, and Anyang in 1983, named after cities. They were decommissioned in 2009 and 2010, the first three being disposed of in support of fleet training exercise. The third was deactivated in 2011 but donated to Colombia, where she took the name CM-55 ARC Nariño. She is still active.
Specifications:
- Displacement: 1076 t standard, 1186t FL
- Dimensions: 78.1 x 9.6 x 2.6 m
- Powerplant: 2 shaft CODOG, 2 CP props, 1 GE LM 2500 GT, 2 MTU diesels
- Performances: 26,800+6,260 shp, 31 knots 4000 nm/18 knots
- Armament: 1x 76 mm OTO, 4x 30mm/85 Emerson, 2x3 324 mm TT, 12 DC
- Electronics: AN/SPS-64, Signaal WM-28 DCR, SEWACO ZK, LIOD, SAN 15 TACAN, Thorn EMI/NobelTech, Mel Protean CL, EDO 786 sonar
- Crew: 96
South Korean patrol boats and ships
Han Kang class patrol corvettes (1985)
These "patrol corvettes" were based on the Po Hang design, downgraded Coast guard vessels in peacetime but requisitioned and rearmed in times of war. 324 mm ASW TTs and DC racks were planned but not fitted. Project HDC 1150 as it was known was not followed by a serie. A single ship therefore was built, 1005 Hank Kang built at Korea SB of Pusan, in service in December 1985.
- Displacement: 1000 t standard, 1200t FL
- Dimensions: 87.7 x 10 x 2.88 m
- Powerplant: 2 shaft CODOG, 1 GE LM 2500 GT, 2 MTU diesels
- Performances: 27,800+6,200 shp, 31 knots 4000 nm/15 knots
- Armament: 1x 76 mm OTO, 1x 40mm Mk3 bofors, 2x3 CIWS Vulcan
- Electronics: Raytheon SPS-64(V), HSA WM-28
- Crew: 72
Chamsuri (PKM 268) PBs (1978)

The proverbial South Korean patrol ship. Preceded by former Asheville class PBs used as FAC(M) or fast attack craft (Missile), PG-96, transferred in 1971 and renamed Paek ku 2 and the Paek ku PSSM type FACs built in Korea, the Chamsuri or PKM boats were built by the Hanjin Industrial SB, Chinhae, and Korea SB & Eng. Masan shipyards, 100 in all over the years, since 1978 and until the 1990s, before being replaced by the Yoon Youngha-class from 2008.
Also referred to as patrol killer medium or "PKM", they were sub-classes, the 201 series and better armed 301 series. initial armament was a single 40 mm/60 Bofors Mk.3, and twin 30 mm/75 Emerlec EX-30, plus two 20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.10 AA. They were just basically gunboats. The 301 series (PKM 201) boats had no Bofors, a twin 30 mm/75 Emerlec EX-30, 1/2 turreted single 20 mm Vulcan Gatling CIWS, two 12.7 mm 0.5 cal M2HB Browning machine guns while the last serie had a single turreted 40 mm/60 Bofors and single 20 mm Vulcan Gatlingplus two Browning M2HB and two single 7.62 mm M60 machine guns as a result of the battle of Yeonpyeong. About only 50 are still in service today, modernized and many were exported: Bangladesh (Titas class, 4), East Timor (3), Ghana (Stephen Otu), Kazakhstan (031 class, 3), Philippines (Tomas Batillo class, 8).
- Displacement: 1000 t standard, 1200t FL
- Dimensions: 87.7 x 10 x 2.88 m
- Powerplant: 2 shaft CODOG, 1 GE LM 2500 GT, 2 MTU diesels
- Performances: 27,800+6,200 shp, 31 knots 4000 nm/15 knots
- Armament: 1x 76 mm OTO, 1x 40mm Mk3 bofors, 2x3 CIWS Vulcan
- Electronics: Raytheon SPS-64(V), HSA WM-28
- Crew: 72
"Mazinger" class PBs and other coas guard vessels (1978-85)
Three patrol ships #1001-1003 were ordered on 7 November 1980 from Korea Tacoma and hyundai, of steel cosntruction. They displaced 1450 tonnes FL, quite heavy for patrol ships not classes as "corvettes". They were used by the coast guard. Specs: 1200/1450 tonnes, 80.5 x 9.8 x 3.2 m, Powerplant 2 shaft SEMT Pielstick 12PA6 diesels 9600 bhp 21.5 knots, range 700 nm/18 knots. Armament: Single 40 mm Bofors, 2 x 20 mm Oerlikon, crew 69.
The South Korean Coast guard also operated:
-Six "sea whale" ships 501-507 in service in 1979-82. They displaced 580 tonnes, for 24 knots.
-22 "Shark class" PBs 280 tonnes, 28 knots
-18 "Sea gull" PBs 80 tons, 30 knots
-2 Bukhasan class PBs, modified and modernized versions of the latter
-2 402 class PBs, 430 tonnes, 53.7m, 2 diesels 19 knots, 1x 20 mm Gatling CIWS and 4x 12.7 mm M2HB built by Huyndai and delivered post-cold war (1991).
Ko jin class PBs (1955)
Former PCE 185 feets patrol vessels of the Admirable class. Four were modified in US service as control ships PCEC for landing craft operations: Ro Ryang, Myong Ryang, Han san, Ok Po (1955) and the remainder, Tang po, Pyok Pa, Ryul po and Sa Chon in 1961. Stricken 1977-79.
Pak Tu San class Sub-chasers (1949)
The first ROKN warship of some importance: This was the ex PC-823 (173 ft standard sub-chaser), purchased to the USN for 18,000 $ in 1949 and transferred in 1950. Eight more followed, three from Honolulu during the Korean war, two in 1960 and one in 1964. Han La San was lost during a storm in 1964. The others were stricken in the 1970s.
Paek Ku class FAC (1975)

The first fast attack crafts of the Korean Navy (Kalmaeki class) were former standard plywood hull PT-23, 25, 26 and 27, transferred in January 1952, renamed Kalmaeki, Kiroki, Olpamei (lost 1952) and Jebi. They were deleted in 1969. Another FAC was the Kilurki 11, built in the USA as a CPIC and named Gireorgi initially she was trialled in the US extensively after being launched at Tacoma in Washington state in 1973. Five more were ti be constructed by Tacoma Korea but none was built and after some service in Korea, the ship was returned to the US.
The main Korean FACS of the 1970s were the Paek Ku class or "Seagulls", armed with missiles. Numbered Paek Ku 52 to 61, these eight vessels were built in batches in 1975-78. The initial order was place to Tacoma Yard USA for the first three and the design was replicated in Tacoma Yard, Korea for the next five, built with aluminium hulls. They were propelled by six gas turbines TF35 on two shafts, which can be used separately for various speeds and power settings. The Korean models were armed with OTO 76mm/62 OTO guns forwards, a twin 30 mm Emerlec gun plus two .5 cal. M2HB and two twin launchers for Harpoon missiles. They were managed by a Westighouse M1200 fire control system coupled with the LN-66P radar and optical director. The US-built version diverged by having the Mk63 FCS and SPG-50 radar. The prototype paek Ku 52 was launched on 17 February 1975. These ships are deactivated now.
Specifications:
- Displacement: 240 t standard, 268 t FL
- Dimensions: 53.7 x 7.3 x 2.9 m
- Powerplant: 2 shaft COGAG 6 avro Lycoming TF35 gas turbines, 16,800 shp, 40+ knots 2400 nm/18 knots
- Armament: 2 Harpoons SSM, 1x 76mm OTO, see notes.
- Electronics: LN-66HP, SPG-50, see notes
Su Song class large PBs (1952)
Seven former US submarine chasers of the 136 ft type, wooden construction of the YMS type acquired in 1952. Su Song returned to the USA in 1963 two more were decommissioned shortly after arrival in 1955 and the remainder were scrapped in 1970.
PB class coast guard PBs (1968)
PB-3 - PB-12 were former US sub-chasers , USCG steel-hulled patrol crafts of the 95 tons type used as coast guard patrol crafts transferred in 1968. PB7 was lost after grounding, and the remainder were stricken in 19984.
Kilkuri class large PBs (1971)

Kilurki 71 and 72 were built in Korea Tacom Masan in 1971-72 and served until the late 1990s. They displaced 120/140 tonnes FL for 32.9 x 8 x 1.1 m in size, equipped with a machinery counting three shafts on MTU diesels producing 10,200 bhp and 35 knots. Range was 1000 nm at 20 knots. They were armed with a single 40 mm, two .5 cal M2HB HMGs, and two exocet MM38 SSMs. "Kilurki" meant "sea dolphin".
The next serie Kilurki 211-213 up to 259 (32 ships) were improved versions buult in the late 1970s in the same yard, Chinae. They used PKM as pennant numbers and were able to reach 38 knots. They displaced 133/144 tonnes FL, for a light of 33.1 m, 6.9 m in width and 1.75 m draft. They were propelled by three shafts mated on MTU 13V538 TD90 diesels giving them 6,000 bhp for 34 knots. Range was the same, but the armament varied widely and they carried no missiles as they were classed as "patrol boats" and not "large patrol boats": 1x 40 mm, 2x 30 mm/85 Emerlec, 2x 20 mm, 2x 12.7 mm M2HB or 2x 30 mm/85 Emerlec, and two 20 mm Vulcan Gatling. Extant in the 1990s, probably partly discarded now.
Chebi class coastal PBs (1978)
A serie of thirty-nine small patrol boats built in Pusan (Korea SB) in the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. Called "schoolboy" (Chebi), "sea hawk" and "sea fox" alternatively, they displaced 70 tonnes, 78 tonnes FL for 25.7 m x 5.4 m x 1.2 m in size, and were propelled by two shafts MTU diesels of the same type used on the Kilurki series, for 5200 bhp, 40 knots and an autonomy of 500 nm at 20 knots. They were armd by a 40 mm gun, one 20 mm and four M2HB HMG. Six were stranferred to the Philippines in 1993, six more in 1994, the remainder stayed in service in the 2000s.
SB/FB coastal PBs (1964-67)
These were two series of ex-US Sewart type coastal patrol crafts called SB-1,2,3 and 5 (40 ft type) and FB 1,2,3 and 5-10, transferred 1964 and 1967 and stricken in 1982.
Mine warfare vessels
Kang jim class coastal minesweepers (1948)
Twenty-one ex-YMS wooden built minesweepers were transferred to Korea from 1948 to 1956. In Korean service they had the pennants MSC-501 to 521 and they were in part lost during the Korean war (five), and the remainder stricken in 1977.
Ha Dong class coastal minesweepers (1950)
These were former Bluebird class coastal minesweepers, eight ships built by Peterson in the Wisconsin, specially for MAP transfers. They were transferred 1958-1975 renamed MSC-522-530 abd wooden built with non magnetic fittings. Still in service in the 1990s. Also a single ship, MSB-2 renamed Pi Bong, minesweeping boat was purchased in 1975 and discarded in 1982, mostly for test purposes.
Kang Keong class minehunters (1986)

These were the first modern minehunter built in Korea. The class was named KangKeong meaning "swallow". In all, six ships of 520 tonnes FL were ordered to Kangam Shb. yard, and their design was largely based on the Italian Lerici type. Designing the prototype took time, so much so that the ROKS Kangkeong was two years late, in service by December 1986 and all the other five were completed after the end of the cold war, although plans included ten more. The last was commissioned in April 1994.
They were fitted with two Graymarine Pluto submersibles and GEC-Marconi 193M Mod 1 sonar and Racam-Decca MAINS spotting gear and a GRP hull. They also had a bow thuster for agility. Some authors argues they "plagiarized" the Italian design without official licence.
In 1991 Hyundai was ordered a study for a new class of large and fast minelayers and the design was completed in 1993 with an expected order in 1994 which never came. The ship was 3300 tonnes FL as protected, 104 m long (340ft 6in), armed with Breda guns (76 and 40 mm), 324 mm ASW TTs and an helicopter but no hangar, twin rudders and fin stabilisers.
Cold war amphibious ships
Tae Cho class LSM (1955)
Former Landing ship, medium of the USN, twelve in all, built in 1944-45 and transferred by batches. The first four in 1955 and the rest in 1956. Two were former French Indochina vessels. After the usual period of leasing they were purchased in 1974 but one, scrapped in 1963 (Tok To). Pung To served as a mine warfare HQ, fitted with facilities and mine rails, named LSML, oothers were denominated LSM. To Cho, Tyo To and Ka Tok were stricken in 1972, Pung To in 1984, the others survived in the 1990s, now all scrapped or in reserve.
Kyong Nam class APD (1959)
These six vessels were nominally high speed transports (APD) started as destroyer escorts in 1943-45 and acquired in 1959, 1966 (two) and 1967 (three). They were renamed Kyong Nam, Ah San, Ung po, Kyng Puk, Jonham, chi Ju. Originally rated as gunbaost (PPG) they were modified and renamed APD in 1972 and were fitted to carry 162 troops and four LCVPs. They existed in two configurations with high and low bridge and fitted with tripod masts. Definitive purchase occured in 1974 and they were all stricken in the late 1980s.
Chung Jin class LSSL (1955)
Landing Ship Special, Light - The serie comprised the Chung Jin, Yung Hung Man, Kang Chwa Man, Po Song Man, Yong Il Man transferred in the 1950s and used as gunboats. They were decommissioned in the 1960s. They were used as gunboats.
Si Hung class LSMR class LSSL (1955)
A unique ship denominated LSMR 311, former USS Joseph River (LSMR 527) transferred on ROKN on 15 September 1960 and redesignated LSMR 650, stricken in 1987.
Mulkae class LCU (1966)
Landing ship Utility. Mulkae 71 was the ex LCU-531, transferred in 1966. This vessel was followed by Mulkae 72-78, copies built in South Korea in 1979. They were still in service in the 1990s. It should be added that ten ex-LCM(8) were also transferred in Sept. 1978. New names and fate unknown. Added to this, ten LCM(8) were also transferred in September 1978, still active in the 1990s.
Videos abour ROKN
https://youtu.be/Tw-s36HBpWw
https://youtu.be/x8edrO5UOlI
https://youtu.be/OI61fVtW-Sk
https://youtu.be/e-HfsdErjTw
https://youtu.be/fAhnRazVzns
https://youtu.be/Ohiy3Glqu_0
Books
Documents
Sea service in the Korean war
CNA Martime Asia project conference report
declassified CIA report on ROKN 1973
A Brief Analysis of the Republic of Korea’s Defense Reform Plan
The ROK Navy and China's Rise: Balancing Competing Priorities
Naval postgraduate school thesis: expanding ROKN by JN Pethel
Enhanced USN ROKN alliance cooperation
The Korean Military Balance: Comparative korean forces and neighbours (CSIS)
https://www.navypedia.org/ships/korea_south/kos_index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamsuri-class_patrol_boat
https://www.navypedia.org/ships/korea_south/kos_cf.htm