The Republic of Korea Navy has about 160 ships in commission (a total displacement of about 232,285 tonnes).
The vessels are categorized into four levels. A first-rate ship (Sohn Wonyil-class SS, DDG, DDH, LPH, MLS, and AOE) is commanded by a captain; a second-rate ship (SS, FFG, FF, PCC, LST, ATS, and ASR) by a commander; a third-rate ship (PKG, MSH, and MHC) by a lieutenant commander; and a fourth-rate craft (PKMR, PKM, and LSF) is commanded by a lieutenant or a warrant officer.
The ROK Navy employs the U.S. 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 names are that of the historical figures, provinces, cities, counties, peaks, lakes, islands, and birds. The Chief of Naval Operations selects the names of ships."함정 명명식" . Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
The ship prefix for all the commissioned ROK Navy ship is ROKS (Republic of Korea Ship) when the names of ships are written in English.
Submarine fleet
Submarines Submarines (SS) are named after historical figures. ClassROKN classificationHull numberNameHangul name (Hanja)Displacement (submerged, tons)Launch dateDelivery dateCommission dateBuilderNoteDosan Ahn Changho classSS: Submarine083Dosan Ahn Changho도산 안창호 (島山 安昌浩)3,7502018-09-14 2021-08-13 2021-08-13Daewoo S&MELead boat of KSS-III Batch-I; 085 Ahn Mu 안무 (安武) 3,750 2020-11-10 2023-04-20 2023-04-26Daewoo S&ME -086 Shin Chae-ho 신채호 (申采浩) 3,750 2021-09-28 2024-04-04 2024-04-05Hyundai Heavy Industries Commissioned087Lee Bong-chang 이봉창 (李奉昌) 3,750 - - -Hanwha OceanContract awarded; Lead boat of Batch-IISohn Wonyil class072Sohn Won-yil손원일 (孫元一)1,8602006-06-09 2007-12-262007-12-28Hyundai Heavy IndustriesLead boat of KSS-II Batch-I073Jeong Ji정지 (鄭地)1,8602007-06-13 2008-11-282008-12-02Hyundai Heavy Industries -075An Jung-geun안중근 (安重根)1,8602008-06-04 2009-11-302009-12-01Hyundai Heavy Industries -076Kim Jwa-jin김좌진 (金佐鎭)1,8602013-08-13 2014-12-302014-12-31Daewoo S&MELead boat of Batch-II (6 in batch)077Yun Bong-gil윤봉길 (尹奉吉)1,8602014-07-03 2016-06-172016-06-20Hyundai Heavy Industries -078Yu Gwan-sun유관순 (柳寬順)1,8602015-05-07 2017-07-102017-07-11Daewoo S&ME -079Hong Beom-do홍범도 (洪範圖)1,8602016-04-05 2018-01-192018-01-23Hyundai Heavy Industries -081Lee Beom-seok이범석 (李範奭)1,8602016-11-08 2019-05-09 2019-05-13Daewoo S&ME -082Shin Dol-seok신돌석 (申乭石)1,8602017-09-07 2019-12-17 2020-01-31Hyundai Heavy Industries -Jang Bogo class061Jang Bogo장보고 (張保皐)1,2901991-09-121992-10-14 1993-06-02Howaldtswerke-Deutsche WerftLead boat of KSS-I Batch-I062Yi Cheon이천 (李阡)1,2901992-10-121994-04-30 1994-06-20Daewoo S&ME Assembled in S. Korea063Choe Museon최무선 (崔茂宣)1,2901993-08-071995-02-27 1995-02-28Daewoo S&ME Assembled in S. Korea; Upgraded065Park Wi박위 (朴葳)1,2901994-05-211995-08-30 1995-08-31Daewoo S&MELead boat of Batch-II066Lee Jongmoo이종무 (李從茂)1,2901995-05-171996-08-30 1996-08-31Daewoo S&ME -067Jung Woon정운 (鄭運)1,2901996-05-071997-08-29 1997-08-30Daewoo S&ME -068Lee Sun-sin이순신 (李純信)1,2901998-05-212000-01-31 2000-02-01Daewoo S&MELead boat of KSS-I Batch-III; Capable of launching UGM-84L Sub Harpoon missiles069Na Dae-yong나대용 (羅大用)1,2901999-06-092000-11-30 2000-12-01Daewoo S&MECapable of launching UGM-84L Sub Harpoon missiles; Upgraded071Yi Eokgi이억기 (李億祺)1,2902000-05-242001-11-30 2001-12-01Daewoo S&MECapable of launching UGM-84L Sub Harpoon missiles; Upgraded
Surface fleet Destroyers Destroyers (DDG, DDH) are named after historical figures. ClassROKN classificationHull numberNameHangul name (Hanja)Displacement (light/full, tons)Launch dateDelivery dateCommission dateBuilderNoteSejong the Great class (KDX-III)DDG: Destroyer Guided-missile991Sejong the Great세종대왕 (世宗大王)7,650/10,6002007-05-25 2008-12-222008-12-22Hyundai Heavy IndustriesLead ship of DDG Batch-I992Yulgok Yi I율곡이이 (栗谷 李珥)7,650/10,6002008-11-14 2010-08-312010-09-01Daewoo S&ME -993Seoae Ryu Sungryong서애류성룡 (西厓 柳成龍)7,650/10,6002011-03-24 2012-08-312012-09-03Hyundai Heavy IndustriesTo be followed by Batch-II995Jeongjo the Great정조대왕 (正祖大王)8,200/12,0002022-07-28 2024-11-27 2024-12-02Hyundai Heavy IndustriesLead ship of DDG Batch-II996Dasan Jeong Yakyong다산정약용 (茶山丁若鏞)8,200/12,0002025-09-17 2026-12-00 2026-12-00Hyundai Heavy Industries2nd ship of DDG Batch-IIChungmugong Yi Sunshin class (KDX-II)DDH: Destroyer Helicopter975Chungmugong Yi Sunshin충무공이순신 (忠武公 李舜臣)4,475/5,5172002-05-222003-12-01 2003-12-02Daewoo S&ME -976Munmu the Great문무대왕 (文武大王)4,500/5,5202003-04-112004-09-30 2004-10-04Hyundai Heavy Industries -977Dae Joyeong대조영 (大祚榮)4,500/5,5202003-11-122005-06-30 2005-07-01Daewoo S&ME -978Wang Geon왕건 (王建)4,500/5,5202005-05-04 2006-11-092006-11-10Hyundai Heavy Industries -979Kang Gam-chan강감찬 (姜邯贊)4,500/5,5202006-03-16 2007-10-012007-10-02Daewoo S&ME -981Choi Young최영 (崔瑩)4,500/5,5202006-10-20 2008-09-032008-09-04Hyundai Heavy Industries To be followed by KDDXKwanggaeto the Great class (KDX-I)971Kwanggaeto the Great광개토대왕 (廣開土大王)3,200/3,9001996-10-281998-07-24 1998-07-27Daewoo S&MELead ship of DDH-I972Ulchi Moonduk을지문덕 (乙支文德)3,181/3,9751997-10-161999-08-30 1999-09-01Daewoo S&ME -973Yang Manchoon양만춘 (楊萬春)3,200/3,9001998-10-192000-06-30 2000-07-01Daewoo S&ME -
Frigates Frigates (FFG, FF) are named after provinces and large cities that names previous ROK Navy destroyers had. ClassROKN classificationHull numberNameHangul name (Hanja)Displacement (light/full, tons)Launch dateDelivery dateCommission dateBuilderNoteChungnam classFFG: Frigate Guided-missile828Chungnam충남 (忠南)3,600/4,3002023-04-102024-12-182024-12-24Hyundai Heavy IndustriesLead ship of FFG-III (FFX Batch-III; 6 in batch)829Gyeongbuk경북 (慶北)3,600/4,3002025-06-202026-06-00 -SK Oceanplant3rd Gyeongbuk after FF-956Daegu class818Daegu대구 (大邱) 3,100/3,6502016-06-02 2018-02-012018-03-06Daewoo S&MELead ship of FFG-II (FFX Batch-II; 8 in batch); 3rd Daegu after JMS 303, DD 97/917819Gyeongnam경남 (慶南) 3,100/3,650 2019-06-21 2020-12-31 2021-01-04Daewoo S&ME 2nd Gyeongnam after APD 81/822821Seoul 서울 3,100/3,650 2019-11-11 2021-07-13 2021–07Hyundai Heavy Industries Commissioned in 2021; 4th Seoul after LCI 101, DD 92/912, FF 952822Donghae 동해 (東海) 3,100/3,650 2020-04-29 2021-11-03 2021-11-10Hyundai Heavy Industries Commissioned in 2021; 2nd Donghae after PCC 751.823Daejeon 대전 (大田) 3,100/3,650 2021-05-03 2023-02-19 2023-02-27Daewoo S&ME Commissioned in 2023, 3rd Daejeon after JMS 301, DD 99/919825Pohang 포항 (浦項) 3,100/3,650 2021-09-08 2023-02-28 2023-03-06Daewoo S&ME Commissioned in 2023826Cheonan 천안 (天安) 3,100/3,650 2021-11-09 2023-05-15 2023-05-19Hyundai Heavy Industries Commissioned in 2023827Chuncheon 춘천 (春川) 3,100/3,650 2022-03-22 2023-10-24 2023-10-26Hyundai Heavy Industries Commissioned in 2023Incheon class811Incheon인천 (仁川)2,500/3,2512011-04-292013-01-152013-01-17Hyundai Heavy IndustriesLead ship of FFG-I (FFX Batch-I; 6 in batch); 3rd Incheon after AKL 902, DD 98/918812Gyeonggi경기 (京畿)2,500/3,2512013-07-182014-10-312014-11-03Hyundai Heavy Industries 3rd Gyeonggi after DE 71, DD 923813Jeonbuk전북 (全北)2,500/3,2512013-11-132014-12-312015-01-05Hyundai Heavy Industries 2nd Jeonbuk after DD 96/916815Gangwon강원 (江原)2,500/3,2512014-08-122015-12-312016-01-06STX Offshore & Shipbuilding 3rd Gangwon after DE 72, DD 922816Chungbuk충북 (忠北)2,500/3,2512014-10-232016-01-202016-01-26STX Offshore & Shipbuilding 2nd Chungbuk after DD 95/915817Gwangju광주 (光州)2,500/3,2512015-08-112016-11-092016-11-10STX Offshore & Shipbuilding 3rd Gwangju after YMS 503, DD 90/921Ulsan classFF: Frigate959Busan부산 (釜山)1,446/2,3501992-02-201992-10-30 1992-11-02Hyundai Heavy Industries 3rd Busan after AKL 901, DD 93/913961Cheongju청주 (淸州)1,446/2,3501992-03-201992-11-30 -Daewoo S&ME 2nd Cheongju after LCI 104
Corvettes Corvettes (PCC) are named after cities, with the exception of Sinseong (one of Admiral Yi Sunshin's battle grounds). ClassROKN classificationHull numberNameHangul name (Hanja)Displacement (light/full, tons)Launch dateDelivery dateCommission dateBuilderNotePohang classPCC: Patrol Combat Corvette782Gwangmyeong광명 (光明)950/1,2201989-10-271990-06-30 1990-07-09Korea Tacoma -783Sinseong신성 (新城)950/1,2201991-10-081992-03-28 -Hanjin Heavy Industries Lead ship of PCC Batch-VI; 2nd Sinseong after PCE 1001/711785Gongju공주 (公州)950/1,2201992-09-211993-07-31 -Korea Tacoma 2nd Gongju after YMS 516
Patrol vessels Yoon Youngha class (PKG) is named for Navy heroes.
Chamsuri (PKM) means the sea eagle in Korean. ClassROKN classificationHull numberNameHangul name (Hanja)Displacement (light/full, tons)Launch dateDelivery dateCommission dateBuilderNoteYoon Youngha classPKG: Patrol Killer Guided-missile711ROKS Yoon Youngha윤영하 (尹永夏)440/5702007-06-28 2008-12-162008-12-17Hanjin Heavy IndustriesNamed after the skipper of ROKS Chamsuri 357; Lead ship of PKX-A712ROKS Han Sanggook한상국 (韓相國)440/5702009-09-23 2011-09-142011-09-15STX Offshore & Shipbuilding -713ROKS Jo Chunhyung조천형 (趙天衡)440/5702009-09-23 2011-09-302011-10-04STX Offshore & Shipbuilding -715ROKS Hwang Dohyun황도현 (黃道顯)440/5702009-12-112011-11-102011-11-11STX Offshore & Shipbuilding -716ROKS Suh Hoowon서후원 (徐厚源)440/5702009-12-112011-09-022011-09-26STX Offshore & Shipbuilding -717ROKS Park Donghyuk박동혁 (朴東赫)440/5702010-07-282011-09-232011-09-26Hanjin Heavy Industries -718ROKS Hyun Sihak현시학 (玄時學)440/5702010-07-282011-10-152011-10-28Hanjin Heavy Industries -719ROKS Jung Geungmo정긍모 (鄭兢謨)440/5702010-11-022011-12-162011-12-19Hanjin Heavy Industries721ROKS Ji Deokchil지덕칠 (池德七)440/5702010-11-022011-12-232011-12-23Hanjin Heavy Industries722ROKS Lim Byeongrae임병래 (林炳來)440/5702012-11-20 2013-09-032013-09-06STX Offshore & Shipbuilding723ROKS Hong Siuk홍시욱 (洪時旭)440/5702012-11-20 2013-10-042013-10-10STX Offshore & Shipbuilding725ROKS Hong Daeseon홍대선 (洪大善)440/5702012-11-20 2013-11-042013-11-05STX Offshore & Shipbuilding726ROKS Han Munsik한문식 (韓文植)440/5702013-04-24 2014-01-272014-01-28Hanjin Heavy Industries -727ROKS Kim Changhak김창학 (金昌學)440/5702013-04-24 2014-02-282014-03-04Hanjin Heavy Industries728ROKS Park Dongjin박동진 (朴東鎭)440/5702013-04-24 2014-03-282014-04-01Hanjin Heavy Industries729ROKS Kim Soohyun김수현 (金壽鉉)440/5702014-04-30 2014-09-302014-10-02STX Offshore & Shipbuilding732ROKS Jeon Byeongik전병익 (全炳翼)440/5702016-06-24 2017-12-292018-01-11STX Offshore & ShipbuildingLast ship of PKX-A (no PKG 731)733ROKS Lee Byeongcheol이병철 (李丙喆)440/5702014-04-30 2014-11-282014-12-03STX Offshore & ShipbuildingChamsuri (PKMR 211) classPKMR: Patrol Killer Medium Rocket211Chamsuri 211참수리 211210/2502016-07-26 2017-10-302017-11-01Hanjin Heavy IndustriesLead ship of PKX-B Batch-I (16 in batch); 34 in class212Chamsuri 212참수리 212210/250 2018-12-212019-11-262019-11-28Hanjin Heavy Industries213Chamsuri 213참수리 213210/2502018-12-212019-122019-12-18Hanjin Heavy Industries -215Chamsuri 215참수리 215210/2502018-12-212019-122019-12-31Hanjin Heavy Industries -216Chamsuri 216 참수리 216210/250 2019-12-132020-10-192020-10-20Hanjin Heavy Industries -217Chamsuri 217 참수리 217210/2502019-12-132021-04-28 -Hanjin Heavy Industries -218Chamsuri 218 참수리 218210/250 2019-12-132021-04-28 -Hanjin Heavy Industries -219Chamsuri 219 참수리 219210/250 2019-12-132021-04-28 -Hanjin Heavy Industries -221Chamsuri 221 참수리 221210/250 2020-12-292021-12 -Hanjin Heavy Industries222Chamsuri 222 참수리 222210/250 2020-12-292021-12-23 -Hanjin Heavy Industries223Chamsuri 223 참수리 223210/250 2020-12-292021-12-27 -Hanjin Heavy Industries225Chamsuri 225 참수리 225210/250 2020-12-292021-12-28 -Hanjin Heavy Industries226Chamsuri 226 참수리 226210/250 2022-05-122022-12-1 -Hanjin Heavy IndustriesContract awarded227Chamsuri 227 참수리 227210/250 2022-05-122022-12-12 -Hanjin Heavy Industries228Chamsuri 228 참수리 228210/250 2022-05-122022-12-20 -Hanjin Heavy Industries229Chamsuri 229 참수리 229210/250 2022-05-122022-12-26 -Hanjin Heavy IndustriesChamsuri (PKM 268) classPKM: Patrol Killer Medium298 - 375Chamsuri 313 - 375참수리 313 - 375151/170 - -- -35 in service (105 built from 1978 to 1993); To be replaced by PKG & PKMR
Amphibious warfare ships