{"id":50342,"date":"2017-11-03T07:32:27","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T07:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=50342"},"modified":"2017-11-03T07:32:27","modified_gmt":"2017-11-03T07:32:27","slug":"seoul-launches-new-4900-ton-landing-ship-as-north-korea-tensions-soar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/world-news\/seoul-launches-new-4900-ton-landing-ship-as-north-korea-tensions-soar.html","title":{"rendered":"Seoul launches new 4,900-ton landing ship as North Korea tensions soar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seoul launches new 4,900-ton landing ship as North Korea tensions soar<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Seoul launches new 4,900-ton landing ship as North Korea tensions soar:- SOUTH Korea has boosted its naval capabilities with the launch of a new landing ship, the state arms procurement agency has confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new 4,900-ton ship is named No Jeok Bong after one of the peaks of Yudal Mountain in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province.<\/span><\/p>\n

Landing ships contain a well dock to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is the fourth vessel built in the LST-II programme designed to replace the smaller amphibious landing ships currently in operation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2,600tn Go Jun Bong-class, or LST-I, landing ship has a single helipad that is used just for take off and landing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 4,900tn Cheon Wang Bong-class ship, on the other hand, has two helipads and can accommodate helicopters, mechanised landing craft, amphibious assault vehicles and more than 300 troops.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeon Jei-guk, head of the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), said in a launch ceremony: “Once the No Jeok Bong is put in combat operation, it will further strengthen our military’s assault and defence capabilities by enabling large-scale combined landing operations of the army, the navy and the air force.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The No Jeok Bong, 127 meters long, can carry more than 120 crew and sail at a maximum speed of 23 knots, or 40 kilometres per hour.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s equipped with a domestically-developed combat system and a landing operation command centre, according to DAPA.<\/span><\/p>\n

DAPA said in a statement: \u201dIt will be tasked with transporting troops, equipment and other materials to military bases and islands. In the event of a conflict, it will be mobilised for transporting expeditious response forces.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If necessary, it added, the ship will support international cooperation activities, including peacekeeping operations, and also carry out non-military and humanitarian missions such as disaster relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will be delivered to the Navy in November next year and commissioned in 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

The news comes as North Korea has increased its sabre-rattling with experts indicating that dictator Kim Jong-un could be preparing for yet another missile launch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anita Kumar, a reporter for McClatchy News, said that the communist country could be preparing its 23rd missile test the year to coincide with a visit by US President Donald Trump to the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWhat experts are telling me, though, is that there might be a missile test by North Korea while President Trump is travelling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s going to put him on the spot while he\u2019s in China or South Korea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that would be huge. He\u2019d have to decide then and there how to react.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korean defence sources also believe North Korea may fire a missile, according to the Yonhap News Agency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-\u00a0http:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/news\/world\/874881\/World-War-3-North-Korea-South-Korea-missile-naval-ship<\/p>\n

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