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The ROKS Gyeongnam (FFG-819), which belongs to the same fleet as the new Cheonan frigate (FFG-826), can be seen sailing in this undated photo. (provided by the Republic of Korea Navy)

The name of the ROKS Cheonan, a corvette that sank in 2010, has recently been resurrected for a new frigate.

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) and Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) held a launch ceremony for the new Cheonan on Tuesday afternoon at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. The 2,800-ton frigate takes the place of a 1,500-ton fast frigate (FF) and a 1,000-ton patrol combat corvette (PCC) that the ROKN has been operating for over 30 years.

The new Cheonan frigate measures 122 meters in length, 14 meters in width, and 35 meters in height and boasts 5-inch guns, ship-to-ship guided missiles, tactical ship-to-surface guided missiles, and a close-in weapon system (CIWS).

The Cheonan includes enhanced anti-submarine operation capabilities. It has long-range Hong Sang Eo (Red Shark) torpedoes to attack submarines, as well as a towed array sonar system for detecting them at long ranges.

The Cheonan is to be officially delivered to the ROKN in 2023 after a pilot operation assessment. Once its force integration is complete, it will be the mainstay vessel for the ROKN 2nd Fleet, which is responsible for the West Sea region.

“The nation’s promise to resurrect the Cheonan and eternally remember the dedication of our heroes has been kept,” declared Minister of National Defense Suh Wook in a congratulatory address at the ceremony that day.

“I am certain the Cheonan vessel that we are launching today will bring even greater glory to the Republic of Korea’s name by contributing not only to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula but world peace as well,” he said.

On March 26, 2010, the ROKS Cheonan corvette (PCC-772) sank during operations near Baengnyeong Island in the West Sea. A total of 46 sailors lost their lives.

The Pohang-class corvette ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772) (provided by the Republic of Korea Navy)

While attending a commemorative event for West Sea Defense Day at the 2nd Fleet headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on March 26, President Moon Jae-in said the new seventh frigate would be called the “Cheonan” in honor of the noble service of the sailors who perished on the corvette.

The ROKN decided on the “Cheonan” for the new seventh frigate after a meeting of its vessel naming committee in accordance with the rules for naming, with frigates assigned the names of metropolitan cities, provinces, provincial office cities and other moderately sized cities in South Korea.

Choi Won-il, the former captain of the Cheonan, was originally scheduled to attend the ceremony Tuesday, but declined to participate in protest of a Korea Communications Standards Commission decision finding no issues with a YouTube video addressing speculation that the original Cheonan sank because of a collision with a submarine.

By Kwon Hyuk-chul, staff reporter

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