South Korean Navy to Retire Key Warship

The South Korean navy will retire its benchmark ship, 1500-ton Chungnam frigate.

The frigate is one of the first-generation warship. Chungnam along with six other naval vessels- three patrol and three high-speed boats will be retired at the Jinhae port later today, Yonhap reported citing a Navy statement Wednesday.

"The Chungnam played a pivotal role in the defense of the waters of responsibility, capable of carrying out simultaneous operations against ships, aircraft and submarines," the Navy said.

The country's indigenous Chungnam, 102 meters long and 12 meters wide, was commissioned in 1985. 

It's armed with two 76-mm and four 30-mm cannons, along with a Harpoon anti-ship guided missile and a Mistral ship-to-air missile. It can sail at a maximum speed of 63 kph.

It was awarded the title of the Navy's benchmark ship, having visited 61 ports in 57 nations. In 1992, it became the Navy's first vessel to travel around the world after passing through the Suez Canal in the previous year.