News Zone

Recent News

Republic of Korean Navy Receives New Landing Ship ‘No Jeok Bong”

The Navy is receiving its new landing ship in Jinhaewhich is a 4900-ton class ship that is 127 meters long, can carry some 300 troops along landing fast boats and tanks, has a maximum speed of 40/h and is capable of ‘Over The Horizon Amphibious Operation’.
The ship is being deployed in operations after three-month force integration and evaluation of operational capability.


Republic of Korean Navy


On December 3rd, 2 PM, in fine weather, when a rectangular commission flag with red and blue colors was hoisted toward the top of the mast on the deck of the No Jeok Bong landing ship at Seo Hae Dae in the naval port in Jinhae, the Navy’s ten vessels anchored there, including Gang Gam-chan destroyer, Eulji Mundeok destroyer, Seoae Ryu Seong-Ryong destroyer and Dae Jo Yeong destroyer, gave loud whistles to celebrate the Republic of Korean Navy’s fourth landing ship (LST-II), No Jeok Bong, being put into commission. Navy soldiers watching the ceremony also celebrated the commission by giving a big hand.

The No Jeok Bong has started its official sailing as a Republic of Korean Navy ship. On Monday, the Navy held a ceremony to mark the commissioning of the No Jeok Bong under the supervision of Han Dong-jin, commander of the Navy’s 8th Corps. Ship commissioning is the ceremony of announcing that a warship which was built in the shipyard and underwent a delivery process has officially become a naval vessel.


The No Jeok Bong was built at the shipyard of the Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan in May 2016 and was launched last November. After undergoing a strict delivery process, it was commissioned on December 3rd and started the force integration process for the protection of national waters. The commissioning ceremony, which was attended by some 100 persons including the commander of the Navy’s 8th Corps, the Navy’s main commanders and soldiers, and officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality and Hyundai Heavy Industries, started with an opening address and was followed by a pledge of allegiance to the nation, progress report, hoisting of a commission flag, awarding and instructions.


Republic of Korean Navy2


The 4900-ton class No Jeok Bong is the Navy's fourth landing ship(LST-II), and will be used mainly for amphibious landing operations. It is 127 meters long, 19 meters wide and has a maximum speed of 23 knots(about 40/h). It can carry a 120-member crew and some 300 troops along Landing Crafts, Mechanized(LCM) tanks, rigid-inflatable boats(RIB) and Korean Assault Amphibious Vehicles(KAAV). In addition, it has a deck for two amphibious helicopters.


The No Jeok Bong is equipped with a domestically-developed combat system and a landing operation command center. Its speed of mobilization is double that of the existing Go Jun Bong-class landing ship(LST-I, 2600-ton). Based on this, it can carry out ‘Over The Horizon Amphibious Operations,’ setting sail beyond the visual distance and the radar detection range to the enemy’s coastline, according to the Navy. It also features strengthened survivability due to the application of bulletproof design and the installation of a tire-proof bulkhead.

In peacetime, the No Jeok Bong will be tasked with transporting troops, equipment and other materials to military bases and islands. In the event of a conflict, it will be mobilized for transporting expeditious response forces. If necessary, it will support international cooperation activities, including peacekeeping operations(PKO), and also carry out non-military and humanitarian missions such as disaster relief. The No Jeok Bong will be deployed in operations after a three-month period of force integration and evaluation of operational capability.

The Navy’s fourth landing ship was named ‘No Jeok Bong’ after one of the peaks of Yudal Mountain in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, which follows a tradition of naming landing ships after famous mountain peaks in Republic of Korea. The No Jeok Bong peak has historical significance, as Admiral Yi Sun-sin checked the Japanese aggression by covering the peak with piles of chaff in order to disguise them as military provisions, raising the morale of his troops during the Yim Jin War.

“During the planned force integration training period, I ask you to establish the fullest combat readiness through a mission-centered approach and hands-on training so that you can complete the missions under any circumstances. With self-respect and pride as the first crew of the No Jeok Bong, I ask you to do your best in your duties, keeping in mind that the path you walk will lay the milestones for younger soldiers,” said Commander Han Dong-jin, giving instructions to the No Jeok Bong soldiers.

“The No Jeok Bong will contribute to the protection of our national waters via the thorough implementation of its landing operations, following the spirit of the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin who defeated enemies and raised the morale of his troops with his great strategies,” said Commander Han Jun-hee, first captain of the No Jeok Bong.

 

 

By Seung-Hoi, Ahn < seung@dema.mil.kr >

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>






File

  • (Presentation and Follow-on discussion)