This is a list of active ships of the Korean People's Navy, the naval service of North Korea. Most of the list includes ships of North Korean Origin. Yet, it also contains types that are less frequently used, with their origins from the former communist countries of the Soviet Union, and China. In late years, the production of lightly armored, yet mobile and maneuverable small PT Torpedo Boats increased, as well as patrol and landing craft used in case of national emergency. Submarines, on the other were costly, hard to manufacture. The corvettes of the Korean People's Navy were all outclassed by the 2000s and new ones are still under way.

Submarines TypeClassCountry of originIn serviceNotesPhoto Diesel-electric submarine Sinpo/Gorae-class 2 First vessel in shipyard 2014, Experimental Ballistic Missile Submarine. May also be known as 'Gorae' (Whale class). Some reports suggests as many as six boats are being built, although others indicate that this is a single ship class for missile launch development only. Second submarine launched in September 2023. Diesel-electric coastal submarine Sang-O-class 40 Manufactured in two variants, 34m Sang-O and 39m Sang-O II. 40 Sang-O I and 6 Sang-O II in operation. 1 Sang-O I captured by ROK. North Korean Special Operation Force uses specially equipped Sang-O for missions. Diesel-electric midget submarine Yono-class 36 Iran operates a variant as the Ghadir-class submarine Diesel-electric submarine Type-033 20 KPA Journal reported that these are being phased out in favor of Sang-O/Sang-O II. One has been modified to launch ballistic missiles. Sold as kits from China and was assembled in North Korea. Used by North Korean Special Operation Force for special maritime missions.

Destroyers TypeClassCountry of originIn serviceNotesPhotoDestroyerChoe Hyon-class3 First ship commissioned on April 25, 2025.

At the launch of the second ship it was announced that two more were approved for construction.

Second ship of the class launched on June 12, 2025

Three ship (Kang Kon) was commishioned on September 7, 2026

Frigates and corvettes TypeClassCountry of originIn serviceNotesPhoto Light frigate Najin-class 2+ Old vessels, one was modernized in 2014 Corvette Amnok-class 2 Allegedly built using Krivak class hull. Has 8 Kumsong-3 (KN-19) anti ship missiles, 6 FN-6 SAM missiles, 1 76mm gun, 2 AK-230 anti air guns, 4 533mm torpedoes and 4 RBU-1200 anti submarine rocket launchers Corvette Nampo-class 2 One more likely under construction. Also called Tuman class. Corvette Sariwon-class 5 Based on Tral-class Corvette/minesweeper Fugas-class minesweeper 1 Ex-Т-2 Tros (c. 1935) transferred 1953. Probably in reserve due to old age.

Note:  Satellite images from 2007 indicate that the empty hull of a Krivak-class frigate was purchased by North Korea around 2003. The ship was likely bought from a Russian scrap dealer, lacking any weapons or radar upon purchase. While it was assumed that North Korea purchased the hull for scrap metal, it remains in its original state for nearly five years, and has been transported from Wonsan to Nampo Harbor.

Torpedo boats and missile craft TypeClassCountry of originIn serviceNotesPhoto SES Stealth missile boat Nongo class 7 https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/north-koreas-navy-could-swarm-south-small-missile-boats-183415 PTG missile craft Soju class 10 PTG missile craft Huangfeng class 4 PTG small missile boat Komar class 6 PT small torpedo boat Sin Hung class torpedo boat / Ku Song class torpedo boat 84 Semi sub torpedo boat Daedong class torpedo boat 3

Patrol boats TypeClassCountry of originIn servicePhoto PG gun patrol boat T Class patrol boat N/A PG gun patrol boat Mayang class patrol boat N/A PC large coastal patrol boat Taechong class I/II patrol boat 12 PC large coastal patrol boat Hainan class 6 PC/PT/PTG/WPC coastal/torpedo/armed patrol boat Chong-Ju class patrol boat 6 PC coastal patrol boat SO-1 class patrol boat 19 Coastal patrol boat Shanghai 2 class 13 PC small coastal patrol boats Sinpo class (Steel version of Pr. 183) 18 Patrol boat Chongjin class (Pr. 183 with ZIS-S-53 and two 2M-5) 54 attack crafts Chaho class (Based on Pr. 183 torpedo boats) 59

Utility/landing craft TypeClassCountry of originIn service LCU utility landing craft Hantae class LCM medium landing craft Hungnam class 15 LCU medium landing craft Hanchon class 36 LCPA amphibious landing craft Kong Bang class I/II/III LCP Landing Craft, Personnel Nampo class PT assault torpedo boats Chong Jin class - based on Chaho class LCPA amphibious landing craft Nampo class A/B 48 LCVP Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel Nampo class ACV assault hovercraft Kongbang class Minesweeping boats Yukto class Fleet Ocean Tugboat AT/F WPB coastal cutters Yongdo class WPB coastal cutters N/A ASR Submarine rescue ship (Catamaran-hulled rescue/salvage ship) Kowan class 1 AS - Submarine tender N/A 1 Ocean AGHS - Patrol Combatant Support Ship N/A 1 Inshore AGHS - Patrol Combatant Support Ship N/A 30Very slender vesselsNalchi class

Naval Aviation

Only 4 ships in the KPN have aviation capability with Nampo-class corvette and two Choe Hyon-class destroyers the only active ships with facilities. The rotary aircraft would likely be the Mil Mi-4 PL Mil Mi-14 PL (ASW) and are flown by Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force.

See also List of North Korean merchant ships

References

External links Global Security