The Controversial Disposal of PKM-325: What It Means for South Korea’s Naval Heritage

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The Navy confirmed it scrapped the Chamsuri 325 (PKM-325) patrol boat — celebrated for its roles in the First Battle of Yeonpyeong and the Battle of Daecheong — rather than preserve it after decommissioning. The service said it considered designating the vessel as a security exhibit but ultimately declined after weighing restoration, display and long-term maintenance costs.

Military officials said the Navy decommissioned Chamsuri 325 at the end of 2022 and disposed of the hull (sold it) in January. The patrol craft helped repel North Korean vessels that crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) during the 1999 First Battle of Yeonpyeong and the 2009 Battle of Daecheong.

A Navy official said the service reviewed designating PKM-325 as an official security exhibit because of its historical value but concluded the expected educational and public benefits did not justify the costs of land display, vessel restoration and ongoing upkeep.

The Navy removed all onboard military equipment in accordance with regulations, scrapped the remaining metal, and sold it to private buyers.

At the Navy’s Pyeongtaek 2nd Fleet Command, a patrol-boat–shaped monument called the First Battle of Yeonpyeong Victory Monument and Chamsuri 357, which fought in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, are already on display. Officials said adding Chamsuri 325 as another exhibit would have created symbolic overlap with existing displays.

Still, critics have criticized the decision to scrap Chamsuri 325 — a vessel many view as an emblematic naval asset — without broader public consultation.

Yoo Yong-won, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, wrote on his social media account that he was deeply disappointed the Chamsuri 325 was not preserved as a security exhibit and was scrapped. He urged that the name \”325\” be carried forward to the next patrol craft class (PKX-B) or assigned to another major warship to preserve the memory of those victories.