South Korean Navy Receives its Fourth Landing Ship

South Korea's Navy received a new 4,500-ton landing ship, the Nojeokbong vessel on Wednesday.

The new ship capable of speedy and long-distance military support operations was delivered to the Navy during Hyundai Heavy Industries' event at a shipyard in Ulsan, 370 km southeast of Seoul, DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration) said.

Nojeokbong has a maximum speed of 23 knots, can carry about 300 troops, three landing boats and eight amphibious armored vehicles in addition to the 120-member crew. It is also equipped with an interior command center for amphibious landing operations.

The delivered ship is the Navy’s fourth Cheon Wang Bong-class LST (Tank Landing Ship) after Cheonwangbong, Cheonjabong and Ilchulbong vessels. An LST is the naval designation for ships built during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto shore with no docks or piers.

For the upcoming four months the navy plans to train the ship's crew after which they will be put into active duty.