List of Republic of Korea Navy ships

This is a list of major Republic of Korea Navy ships.

The South Korean navy employs the US Navy-style letter based hull classification symbols to designate the types of its ships and hull numbers to uniquely identify its vessels (e.g. DDH 975). The ship prefix for the ROK Navy ship is ROKS (Republic of Korea Ship) when the names of ships are written in English.

(Note on romanization: In the article, all South Korean ships' names are spelled accordingly with the Revised Romanization of Korean system and supplied with hull numbers in order to avoid confusions. Exceptions are ships named after a person's name (e.g. Chang Bo-go, Yi Sunshin) because the romanization of the personal name has already been established.)

Commissioned ships

In the Republic of Korea Navy, there are some 170 commissioned ships (total displacement of approx. 141,000 tons) including about 10 submarines, 80 patrol craft and 20 auxiliaries as of October 2007. The names of ships are that of the historical figures, provinces, cities, counties, peaks, lakes, islands, and birds. The Chief of Naval Operations selects the names of ships.

Surface combatant

• Kwanggaeto the Great class (DDH: Destroyer Helicopter)
• ROKS Kwanggaeto the Great (DDH 971)
• ROKS Ulchi Mundok (DDH 972)
• ROKS Yang Manchoon (DDH 973)

• Chungmugong Yi Sunshin class (DDH)
• ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (DDH 975)
• ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976)
• ROKS Daejoyoung (DDH 977)
• ROKS Wang Geon (DDH 978)
• ROKS Kang Gamchan (DDH 979)
• ROKS Choi Young (DDH 981)

• Ulsan class (FF: Frigate)
• ROKS Ulsan (FF 951)
• ROKS Seoul (FF 952)
• ROKS Chungnam (FF 953)
• ROKS Masan (FF 955)
• ROKS Gyeongbuk (FF 956)
• ROKS Jeonnam (FF 957)
• ROKS Jeju (FF 958)
• ROKS Busan (FF 959)
• ROKS Cheongju (FF 961)

Submarine

• Chang Bogo 209 class (SS: Submarine)
• ROKS Chang Bogo (SS 061)
• ROKS Lee Chun (SS 062)
• ROKS Choi Moosun (SS 063)
• ROKS Park Wi (SS 065)
• ROKS Lee Jongmoo (SS 066)
• ROKS Jung Woon (SS 067)
• ROKS Lee Sunsin (SS 068)
• ROKS Na Daeyong (SS 069)
• ROKS Lee Eokgi (SS 071)

• Sohn Wonyil 214 class (SS)
• ROKS Sohn Wonyil (SS 072)

• Dolgorae class (SSM: Midget Submarine)
• ROKS SSM 052
• ROKS SSM 053

Patrol

• Donghae class (PCC: Patrol Combat Corvette)
• ROKS Donghae (PCC 751)
• ROKS Suwon (PCC 752)
• ROKS Gangneung (PCC 753)
• ROKS Anyang (PCC 755)

• Pohang class (PCC)
• ROKS Pohang (PCC 756)
• ROKS Gunsan (PCC 757)
• ROKS Gyeongju (PCC 758)
• ROKS Mokpo (PCC 759)
• ROKS Gimcheon (PCC 761)
• ROKS Chungju (PCC 762)
• ROKS Jinju (PCC 763)
• ROKS Yeosu (PCC 765)
• ROKS Jinhae (PCC 766)
• ROKS Suncheon (PCC 767)
• ROKS Iri (PCC 768)
• ROKS Wonju (PCC 769)
• ROKS Andong (PCC 771)
• ROKS Cheonan (PCC 772)
• ROKS Bucheon (PCC 773)
• ROKS Seongnam (PCC 775)
• ROKS Jecheon (PCC 776)
• ROKS Daecheon (PCC 777)
• ROKS Sokcho (PCC 778)
• ROKS Yeongju (PCC 779)
• ROKS Namwon (PCC 781)
• ROKS Gwangmyeong (PCC 782)
• ROKS Sinseong (PCC 783)
• ROKS Gongju (PCC 785)

• Chamsuri class (PKM: Patrol Killer Medium; 105 in class; approx. 80 in service)
• ROKS PKM 2xx - 3xx

Amphibious

• Dokdo class (LPH: Landing Transport Helicopter)
• ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111)

• Gojunbong class (LST: Landing Ship Tank)
• ROKS Gojunbong (LST 681)
• ROKS Birobong (LST 682)
• ROKS Hyangnobong (LST 683)
• ROKS Seonginbong (LST 685)

• Solgae 621 class (LSF: Landing Ship Fast; aka Project 12061E Murena-E; transferred from Russia)
• ROKS LSF 621
• ROKS LSF 622
• ROKS LSF 623

• Solgae 631 class (LSF; aka LSF-II)
• ROKS LSF 631

Mine warfare

• Wonsan class (MLS: Minelayer Ship)
• ROKS Wonsan (MLS 560)

• Ganggyeong class (MHC: Minehunter Coastal)
• ROKS Ganggyeong (MHC 561)
• ROKS Gangjin (MHC 562)
• ROKS Goryeong (MHC 563)
• ROKS Gimpo (MHC 565)
• ROKS Gochang (MHC 566)
• ROKS Geumhwa (MHC 567)
• Yangyang class (MSH: Minesweeper Hunter)
• ROKS Yangyang (MSH 571)
• ROKS Ongjin (MSH 572)
• ROKS Haenam (MSH 573)

Auxiliary

• Cheonji class (AOE: Fast Combat Support Ship)
• ROKS Cheonji (AOE 57)
• ROKS Daecheong (AOE 58)
• ROKS Hwacheon (AOE 59)

• Cheonghaejin class (ARS: Submarine Rescue Ship)
• ROKS Cheonghaejin (ARS 21)
• Pyeongtaek class (ATS: Salvage and Rescue Ship)
• ROKS Pyeongtaek (ATS 27; formerly )
• ROKS Gwangyang (ATS 28; formerly )
• Sincheonji class (AGS: Surveying Ship )
• ROKS Sincheonji (AGS ?)
• Sinsegi class (AGS)
• ROKS Sinsegi (AGS ?)

Decommissioned ships

Since the Korean War and until the 90s, well above 100 ships were transferred from the United States Navy to the Republic of Korea Navy.

Surface combatant

• Destroyers (DD)
• Chungmu (DD 91/DD 911; formerly )
• Seoul (DD 92/DD 912; formerly )
• Busan (DD 93/DD 913; formerly )
• Chungbuk (DD 95/DD 915; formerly )
• Jeonbuk (DD 96/DD 916; formerly ; donated as a museum)
• Daegu (DD 97/DD 917; formerly )
• Incheon (DD 98/DD 918; formerly )
• Daejeon (DD 99/DD 919; formerly )
• Gwangju (DD 921; formerly )
• Gangwon (DD 922; formerly ; donated as a museum)
• Gyeonggi (DD 923; formerly )
• Jeonju (DD 925; formerly ; donated as a museum)
• Destroyer Escorts (DE)
• Gyeonggi (DE 71; formerly )
• Gangwon (DE 72; formerly )
• Chungnam (DE 73/DE 821; formerly )

Submarine

• Dolgorae class (SSM: Midget Submarine)
• SSM 051

Patrol

• CPIC (Coastal Patrol and Interdiction Craft; PSMM 5 class patrol craft)
• PKM 123 (later PKM 211)
• PKM (Patrol Killer Medium; Gireogi/Chamsuri class patrol craft)
• PKM 125 (later PKM 212)
• PKMM (Patrol Killer Medium Missile; Gireogi 271 class missile boat)
• PKMM 271
• PKMM 272
• PK (Patrol Killer; Haksaeng/Jebi class patrol craft)
• PK 1 (later PK 151; 24 in class)
• Motor Gunboats (PGM; Baeku/Geomdoksuri class)
• PGM 11/PGM 101 (later PGM 351/PGM 581; formerly )
• PGM 102 (later PGM 352/PGM 582)
• PGM 103 (later PGM 353/PGM 583)
• PGM 105 (later PGM 355/PGM 585)
• PGM 106 (later PGM 356/PGM 586)
• PGM 107 (later PGM 357/PGM 587)
• PGM 108 (later PGM 358/PGM 588)
• PGM 109 (later PGM 359/PGM 589)
• PGM 111 (later PGM 361/PGM 591)

• Patrol Frigates (PF)
• Dumangang (PF 61; formerly )
• Amnokgang (PF 62; formerly )
• Daedonggang (PF 63; formerly )
• Nakdonggang (PF 65; formerly )
• Imjingang (PF 66; formerly )
• Control Patrol Craft Escorts (PCEC)
• Noryang (PCEC 51; formerly )
• Myeongnyang (PCEC 52; formerly )
• Hansan (PCEC 53; formerly )
• Okpo (PCEC 55; formerly USS PCE-898/PCEC-898)
• Dangpo (PCEC 56; formerly ; sunk by North Korean coastal artillery in 1967.)
• Byeokpa (PCEC 57; formerly )
• Yulpo (PCEC 58; formerly )
• Sacheon (PCEC 59; formerly )
• Geojin (PCEC 50; formerly USAS Report (AGP-289))
• Patrol Craft Escorts (PCE)
• Sinseong (PCE 1001; formerly USS Ptarmigan (AM-376/MSF-376))
• Suncheon (PCE 1002; formerly USS Speed (AM-116/MSF-116))
• Geoje (PCE 1003; formerly USS Dextrous (AM-341/MSF-341))

• Submarine Chasers (PC)
• Baekdusan (PC 701; formerly )
• Geumgangsan (PC 702; formerly )
• Samgaksan (PC 703; formerly )
• Jirisan (PC 704; formerly ; struck a mine and sank, December 1951)
• Hallasan (PC 705; formerly )
• Myohyangsan (PC 706; formerly )
• Odaesan (PC 707; formerly )
• Geumjeongsan (PC 708; formerly )
• Seoraksan (PC 709; formerly )

• Patrol Craft Sweeper (PCS)
• Mokseong (PCS 203; formerly )
• Hwaseong (PCS 205; formerly )
• Geumseong (PCS ?; formerly )
• ? (PCS ?; formerly )
• ? (PCS ?; formerly )
• ? (PCS ?; formerly ; later "Conneaut", to South Korea 1947)

• Motor Torpedo Boats (PT)
• PT 23, PT 25, PT 26, PT 27 (formerly USS PT-613, PT-616,PT-619, PT-620)

• Patrol Boats (PB))
• PB 3(formerly USCGC Cape Rosier)
• PB 5(formerly USCGC Cape Sable)
• PB 6(formerly USCGC Cape Providence)
• PB 7(formerly USCGC Cape Florida)
• PB 8(formerly USCGC Cape Porpoise)
• PB 9(formerly USCGC Cape Falcon)
• PB 10(formerly USCGC Cape Trinity)
• PB 11(formerly USCGC Cape Darby)
• PB 12(formerly USCGC Cape Kiwanda)

• Ex-Japanese vessel (PG)
• Chungmugong (PG 313)

Amphibious

• High-speed Transports (APD)
• Gyeongnam (APD 81/APD 822; formerly )
• Asan (APD 82/APD 823; formerly )
• Ungpo (APD 83/APD 825; formerly )
• Gyeongbuk (PG 85/APD 85/APD 826; formerly USS Kephart (DE-207/APD-61))
• Jeonnam (PG 86/APD 86/APD 827; formerly USS Hayter (DE 212/APD 80))
• Jeju (PG 87/APD 87/APD 828; formerly )

• Tank Landing Ships (LST)
• Munsan (formerly )
• Danyang (formerly )
• ? (?; formerly ; sold to the government of South Korea, 31 May 1947)
• Ulsan (?; formerly ; sold to the government of South Korea, 31 May 1947)
• ? (?; formerly ; sold to the government of South Korea, 31 May 1947)
• ? (?; formerly ; sold to the government of South Korea, 1 June 1947)
• ? (?; formerly ; sold to the government of South Korea, 4 June 1947)
• ? (?; formerly )
• Yonghwa (aka Cheonan (?); LST 801; formerly ; sold to the government of South Korea, 25 May 1947 as Ryong Hwa)
• Cheolong (LST 802; formerly ?)
• Unbong (LST 807/LST 671; formerly )
• Deokbong (LST 808/LST 672; formerly )
• Bibong (LST 809/LST 673; formerly )
• Gyebong (LST 810/LST 675; formerly )
• Jangsu (LST 811; formerly USS LST-53/APL-59)
• Wibong (LST 812/LST 676; formerly )
• Suyeong (LST 813/LST 677; formerly )
• Bukhan (LST 815/LST 678; formerly ; donated as a museum)
• Hwasan (LST 816/LST 679; formerly ; donated as a museum)

• Medium Landing Ships (Rocket) (LSM(R))
• Siheung (LSMR 311; formerly )

• Medium Landing Ships (LSM)
• Daecho (LSM 601/LSM 651; formerly ; transferred on loan, 16 February 1955)
• Yeodo (LSM 602/LSM 652; formerly ; transferred on loan, 16 February 1955)
• Dokdo (LSM 603; formerly ; transferred on loan, 16 February 1955)
• Gadeok (LSM 605/LSM 653; formerly ; transferred on loan, 16 February 1955)
• Geomun (LSM 606/LSM 655; formerly ; transferred on loan, 3 April 1956)
• Bian (LSM 607/LSM 656; formerly ; transferred on loan, 3 April 1956)
• Pungdo (LSM 608; formerly ; converted to a Mine Force Flagship/Minelayer and loaned to South Korea, 3 May 1956)
• Wolmi (LSM 609/LSM 657; formerly ; transferred on loan, 3 May 1956)
• Girin (LSM 610/LSM 658; formerly ; transferred on loan, 3 July 1956)
• Neongna (LSM 611/LSM 659; formerly ; transferred on loan, 3 July 1956)
• Sinmi (LSM 612/LSM 661; formerly ; transferred on loan, 18 October 1956)
• Ulleung (LSM 613/LSM 662/Later became mine layer 550; formerly ; transferred on loan, 18 October 1956)

• Landing Ship Support Large (LSSL)
• Yeongheungman (LSSL 107; formerly USS LCS(L)(3)-77/LSSL-77)
• Ganghwaman (LSSL 108; formerly USS LCS(L)(3)-91/LSSL-91)
• Boseongman (LSSL ?; formerly USS LCS(L)(3)-54/LSSL-54)
• Yeongilman (LSSL ?; formerly USS LCS(L)(3)-86/LSSL-86)
• Landing Craft Infantry (LCI)
• Chuncheon (LCI 103; formerly USS ?; transferred on 13 December 1946)
• ? (LCI 105; formerly USS LCI(L)-1056; " To Korea 1949)
• Jinnampo (LCI 106; formerly USS ?; transferred on 23 December 1946)

Mine warfare

• Inshore Minesweepers (MSI)
• ? (?; formerly Tournai (M 481) of the Belgian navy; transferred to South Korea in 1970)

• Coastal Minesweepers (MSC)
• Geumhwa (MSC 519; formerly )
• Gimpo (MSC 520; formerly )
• Gochang (MSC 521; formerly )
• Geumsan (MSC 522/MSC 551; formerly MSC-284)
• Goheung (MSC 523/MSC 552; formerly MSC-285)
• Geumgok (MSC 525/MSC 553; formerly MSC-286)
• Namyang (MSC 526/MSC 555; formerly MSC-295)
• Hadong (MSC 527/MSC 555; formerly MSC-296)
• Samcheok (MSC 528/MSC 557; formerly MSC-316)
• Yeongdong (MSC 529/MSC 558; formerly MSC-320)
• Okcheon (MSC 530/MSC 559; formerly MSC-321)

• Auxiliary Motor Minesweepers (AMS/YMS)
• Gayasan (YMS ?; formerly ; "To South Korea 1948 as Kaya San, sunk 1949)
• Ganggye (YMS ?; formerly )
• Gimcheon (YMS ?; formerly ; transferred to South Korea in 1948)
• Gupo (YMS ?; formerly ; "To South Korea 1948 as Ku Po, scrapped 1956)
• Gangjin (formerly Geumgangsan, YMS 501; formerly )
• Gyeongju (YMS 502; formerly )
• Gwangju (YMS 503; formerly )
• Gimhae (YMS 505; formerly ; "To South Korea 1946 as Kim Hae, disposition unknown)
• Gangneung (YMS 507; formerly )
• Gangwha (YMS 508; formerly ; "To South Korea 1948 as Kang Wha"; went to North Korea in 1949)
• Gapyeong (YMS 509; formerly ?)
• Ganggyeong (YMS 510; formerly ; transferred to South Korea in April 1947)
• Gilju (YMS 514; formerly ; transferred to South Korea 10 May 1947)
• Unnam (aka Ko Yung; YMS 515; formerly ; transferred to South Korea 28 February 1948)
• ? (MSC 516 (?); formerly ; transferred to South Korea 10 May 1947)
• Gongju (YMS 516; formerly ; transferred to South Korea in 1948; struck a mine and sank, October 1950)
• Gowon (YMS 517; formerly ; Sold to South Korea 24 July 1947; "To South Korea 1948 as Ko Won"; went to North Korea in 1948)
• ? (YMS 517 (?); formerly ; transferred to Korea 30 August 1947)
• Goseong (YMS 518; formerly ; transferred to South Korea 10 May 1947)

• Ex-Japanese mine-planting vessels (JMS)
• Daejeon (JMS 301; ; transferred on 9 October 1946)
• Tongyeong (JMS 302)
• ? (JMS 303)
• ? (JMS 304)
• Dumangang (JMS 305; sunk by friendly fire from in 1950)
• ? (JMS 306)
• ? (JMS 307)
• ? (JMS 308)
• Daedonggang (JMS 309)
• ? (JMS 310)
• Tongcheon (JMS 311; went to North Korea in 1948)

Auxiliary

• Light Cargo Ships (AKL)
• ? (?; formerly Alcyone (AKL-37); loaned under "FS (AKL) Vessel Rental Contract between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America" in 1951)
• ? (?; formerly Alhena (AKL-38); loaned under "FS (AKL) Vessel Rental Contract between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America" in 1951)
• ? (?; formerly Almaack (AKL-39); loaned under "FS (AKL) Vessel Rental Contract between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America" in 1951)
• ? (?; formerly Deimos (AKL-40); loaned under "FS (AKL) Vessel Rental Contract between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America" in 1951)
• ? (?; formerly USAS FS-528/AKL-41; loaned under "FS (AKL) Vessel Rental Contract between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America" in 1951; transferred in 1960)
• ? (?; formerly Renate (AKL-42); loaned under "FS (AKL) Vessel Rental Contract between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America" in 1951)
• Busan (AKL 901; formerly ?)
• ? (AKL 907; formerly USAS FS-397/USCGC Trillium (WAK-170); transferred on 2 March 1956)
• Gunsan (aka Cheonsu (?), AKL 908; formerly ; transferred on 2 April 1956)
• Masan (AKL 909; formerly ; transferred on 5 September 1956)
• Ulsan (AKL 910; formerly ; loaned on 1 November 1971)
• Yeoju (?; formerly USAS FS-254)
• Cheongju (?; formerly USAS FS-285)
• Jecheon (?; formerly USAS FS-312)
• Pyeongtaek (?; formerly USAS FS-317)
• Iri (?; formerly USAS FS-352)
• Waegwan (?; formerly USAS FS-356)

• Gasoline Tankers (AOG)
• Cheonji (O 2/AO 51; formerly Norwegian-built Hassel)
• Hwacheon (AO 52; formerly ?)
• Cheongpyeong (AO 53; formerly ?)
• Soyang (AO 55; formerly )
• Jinyang (AO 56; formerly )
• Landing Craft Repair Ship (ARL)
• Deoksu (ARL 1 later R 1; formerly )
• Rescue and Salvage Ships (ARS)
• Changwon (ARS 25; formerly )
• Gumi (ARS 26; formerly )
• Auxiliary Fleet Tugs (ATA)
• Yongmun (ATA 2; formerly )
• Dobong (ATA 3; formerly )
• ? (?; formerly ; served the ROK Coast and Geodetic Survey until 1976)
• Fuel Oil Barge (Non-self-propelled) (YO)
• ? (YO 5; formerly )

Notes

References

• Naval Vessels Registry - Custodian Assignments: KOREA
• NavSource Naval History
• Republic of Korea Navy official website (Korean) (English)
• South Korea navy ships GlobalSecurity.org
• World Navies Today: South Korea Haze Gray & Underway: World Navies Today