The Navy patrol boat Chamsuri 325 [Yonhap News]

The Navy announced on the 14th that the patrol boat 'Chamsuri 325', which participated in the First Battle of Yeonpyeong and defended the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea, has been scrapped as scrap metal.

The Navy initially considered designating the Chamsuri 325 as a military relic (security exhibit) due to its historical value. However, it was decided to scrap it after considering that the expected effect as a security exhibit was insufficient compared to the costs of land installation, ship restoration, and maintenance.

The consideration also included the existence of other security exhibits with similar purposes, such as the Chamsuri 357 and the First Battle of Yeonpyeong Victory Monument. Therefore, in August of last year, the Military Relics Review Committee decided not to designate it as a military relic. Decommissioned vessels that are not designated as military relics and are deemed obsolete are processed for disposal (sale) in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

The Navy stated, "This measure was taken after comprehensively considering the aging of the vessels and the realistic constraints of maintenance and management." They added, "We will continue to commemorate the victory of the First Battle of Yeonpyeong through security exhibits such as the 'First Battle of Yeonpyeong Victory Monument' established at the Second Fleet Command."

The First Battle of Yeonpyeong broke out at 9:28 AM on June 15, 1999, in the waters west of Yeonpyeong Island, when a North Korean patrol boat violated the NLL (Northern Limit Line) and launched a surprise preemptive strike on our Navy's patrol vessels.

At that time, the Second Fleet's patrol vessels, including the Chamsuri 325, responded immediately in self-defense, sinking one North Korean torpedo boat and heavily damaging five patrol boats, thereby defending the NLL in the West Sea.