Gwangmyeongham Retires After 36 Years, Sinking North's Semi-Sub in 1998

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The Legacy of the Gwangmyeongham

The retirement ceremony for the Gwangmyeongham took place at the Jinhae Naval Base in Jinhae-gu, Changwon City, South Gyeongsang Province, on the 26th. This 1,000-ton Pohang-class corvette has played a vital role in defending South Korea’s territorial waters for 36 years, including a notable achievement in 1998 when it sank a North Korean semi-submarine using artillery fire.

As the 22nd vessel in the Pohang-class series, the Gwangmyeongham was built at the Korea Tacoma Shipyard in 1989 and commissioned in July 1990. Since then, it has been an essential part of South Korea’s maritime defense, operating under the command of the 1st Fleet and the 3rd Fleet. Its service history is marked by numerous critical missions that have contributed to national security.

Key Features and Combat Successes

The Gwangmyeongham is equipped with 76 mm and 40 mm artillery guns, anti-ship missiles, and light torpedoes. One of its most significant achievements came in December 1998 when it tracked a North Korean semi-submarine that had infiltrated near Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, for seven hours before sinking it with artillery fire. This event showcased the ship’s combat readiness and effectiveness in high-stakes scenarios.

In addition to this, the Gwangmyeongham was recognized as the navy’s top gunnery combat vessel in 2017, earning the title of ‘Top Gun’ ship. This honor highlights its exceptional performance in naval warfare training and operations.

Another remarkable moment in the ship’s history occurred in May 2015, when it played a crucial role in a maritime safety mission. During a fishing vessel fire accident east of Sokcho, the Gwangmyeongham successfully rescued 12 crew members, demonstrating its versatility beyond combat roles.

Ceremony and Recognition

The retirement ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Admiral Kim Kyung-ryul, the Commander of the Republic of Korea Fleet, along with former commanding officers and crew members of the Gwangmyeongham, and key commanders from the Jinhae region.

At the event, Admiral Kim praised the ship’s contributions, stating, “The Gwangmyeongham has successfully completed its mission of defending South Korea’s maritime territory as a key asset of the fleet.” He added, “The footsteps it has left and its honorable achievements will be forever recorded in the history of the navy.”

Future Plans and Replacement

Following the retirement ceremony, the Gwangmyeongham will officially be decommissioned on the 31st. The navy has outlined plans to gradually retire aging corvettes like the Gwangmyeongham and replace them with new frigates (FFG). These include the Incheon-class (2,500-ton), Daegu-class (3,100-ton), and Chungnam-class (3,600-ton) frigates, which are scheduled to be sequentially deployed to each fleet.

This transition marks a significant step in modernizing South Korea’s naval capabilities, ensuring continued protection of maritime interests while incorporating advanced technology and improved operational efficiency. The legacy of the Gwangmyeongham will remain an important chapter in the history of the Republic of Korea Navy.