Cheonan Attack Incident
The Cheonan(PCC772) was a 1,200-ton class patrol combat corvette(PCC) built in 1988. It had a length of 88.32 meters, a beam of 10 meters, and was powered by either diesel engines or a gas turbine, allowing a maximum speed of 32 knots (58 km/h). The ship's range was 4,000 nautical miles (NM). Its main armaments included ship-to-ship missiles (Harpoon), naval guns, torpedoes, and depth charges.
The main specifications are as follows:
| Category | Specifications |
| Ship Name | Cheonan Patrol Combat Corvette(PCC-772) |
| Mission | Anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, anti-surface warfare, convoy escort, search and rescue |
| Shipbuilder | Korea TACOMA |
| Construction Period | Dec 19, 1985 – Dec 29, 1988 |
| Construction Cost | Approximately 28 billion KRW |
| Naming and Launch Date | July 24, 1987 |
| Commissioning Date | Dec 31, 1988 |
| Displacement | Full load : 1,223 tons, Light load : 972 tons |
| Upper Structure Material | Aluminum(4.6mm ~ 6.1mm) |
| Lower Structure Material | Steel(7mm ~ 11mm) |
| Speed/Range | Maximum speed : 32 knots / 800 NM, Economic speed : 15 knots / 4,000 NM |
| Dimensions | Length : 88.32m, Beam : 10m, Draft : 2.8m |
| Crew Capacity | Total : 91(9 officers, 82 enlisted personnel) |
| Main Armament | Harpoon anti-ship missile, torpedoes, depth charges, 76/40mm naval gun |
| Main Equipment | 2 diesel engines, 1 gas turbine, fire control radar, sonar |
The Cheonan(PCC772) was a 1,200-ton class patrol combat corvette(PCC) built in 1988. It had a length of 88.32 meters, a beam of 10 meters, and was powered by either diesel engines or a gas turbine, allowing a maximum speed of 32 knots (58 km/h). The ship's range was 4,000 nautical miles (NM). Its main armaments included ship-to-ship missiles (Harpoon), naval guns, torpedoes, and depth charges.
The main specifications are as follows:
Ship Name
Cheonan Patrol Combat
Corvette(PCC-772)
Mission
Anti-submarine warfare,
anti-aircraft warfare,
anti-surface warfare,
convoy escort,
search and rescue
Shipbuilder
Korea TACOMA
Construction
Period
Dec 19, 1985 – Dec 29, 1988
Construction
Cost
Approximately 28 billion KRW
Naming and
Launch Date
July 24, 1987
Commissioning
Date
Dec 31, 1988
Displacement
Full load : 1,223 tons,
Light load : 972 tons
Upper Structure
Material
Aluminum (4.6mm ~ 6.1mm)
Lower Structure
Material
Steel (7mm ~ 11mm)
Speed/Range
Maximum speed : 32 knots / 800 NM, Economic speed : 15 knots / 4,000 NM
Dimensions
Length : 88.32m,
Beam : 10m, Draft : 2.8m
Crew Capacity
Total : 91 (9 officers, 82 enlisted personnel)
Main Armament
Harpoon anti-ship missile,
torpedoes, depth charges,
76/40mm naval gun
Main Equipment
2 diesel engines, 1 gas turbine,
fire control radar, sonar
The Cheonan(PCC772) was constructed by Korea TACOMA, with construction beginning in Dec. 1985 and completion in Dec. 1989. It was the 14th ship of its class to be built. After construction, it underwent a period of commissioning and was deployed for active service. During its operational period, it was assigned to the Navy's 2nd Fleet and performed a variety of tasks, including maritime patrols in the East, West, and South Seas, as well as maritime security operations, NLL(Northern Limit Line) protection missions, and fishing protection operations in contested waters, with a focus on defending the western coastal areas of Seoul.
After being commissioned, the Cheonan(PCC772) played a central role in guarding the West Sea for over 20 years. Notably, it participated in the First Yeonpyeong Sea Battle in 1999, where it achieved significant military success. Even after that, it continued to conduct more than 200 days of maritime operations annually, successfully and effectively carrying out its assigned missions.
On the morning of March 16, 2010, the Cheonan(PCC772) departed for a security patrol in the West Sea after reaffirming its resolve at the memorial at the Security Park. All crew members took their positions and carried out their duties. On March 25, with worsening weather conditions, a gale warning was issued at 2PM for the entire West Sea, and the ship took refuge southeast of Daecheongdo Island for patrol. Despite the adverse weather conditions on the morning of March 26, the ship returned to its patrol zone west of Baengnyeongdo Island and continued its security operation. After sunset, the ship moved to the southwest coast of Baengnyeongdo Island due to the poor weather, continuing to perform navigation and patrol duties. At 8:00PM that evening, a routine shift change took place, and the off-duty personnel were either resting or preparing for their next shift.
At 9:22 PM on March 26, 2010, the Cheonan(PCC772) was struck by a torpedo launched from a North Korean submarine, resulting in the tragic loss of 46 crew members, who perished in the cold waters of the West Sea.
For context, the Patrol Combat Corvette(PCC) was the second domestically produced combat ship after the fast attack craft and was operational with over 20 ships deployed for combat missions, contributing to the overall strength of the ROK Navy.
Moreover, the West Sea has been a frequent area of tension, where North Korea has continuously attempted to undermine the NLL and provoke conflict. It is considered one of the most volatile areas on the Korean Peninsula, often referred to as a "powder keg." In addition to the Cheonan(PCC772) incident, the region has witnessed numerous military clashes, including the First Yeonpyeong Sea Battle in 1999, the Second Yeonpyeong Sea Battle in 2002, and the Daecheong Sea Battle in 2009. In 2010, North Korean submarines launched a surprise attack on the Cheonan(PCC772), and in Nov. 2010, the Yeonpyeongdo Island shelling resulted in casualties among both soldiers and civilians, continuing the cycle of provocations.
