"North Korea Deploys Additional 1,500-Ton Frigate to East Coast During South Korea-U.S. Naval Exercise"

NK News: "Spotted Entering Goseong Port"

Yonhap News Agency

It has been reported that North Korea deployed an additional Tuman-class (1,500-ton) frigate to Goseong Port on the east coast, adjacent to South Korea, during the recent South Korea-U.S. Navy joint exercise.

On November 14 (local time), NK News, a U.S.-based media outlet specializing in North Korea, reported this based on photos taken by the private satellite company Planet Labs. On October 30, a Tuman-class frigate was spotted entering Goseong Port from a naval base factory in Munchon, and it was moored alongside an existing Amnok-class (1,500-ton) frigate until November 9.

NK News stated, "One of these vessels was no longer visible at Goseong Port from November 11, the first day of the South Korea-U.S. Navy joint exercise, suggesting it may have carried out a maritime operation."

They further analyzed, "North Korea may have operated these ships to demonstrate that missile launches were being prepared in a scenario where the joint fleet conducted offensive actions."

Previously, South Korea and the United States conducted a joint naval exercise in the East Sea from November 11 to 14, with the participation of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington and others.

The North Korean warships observed this time are classified as the largest and relatively newest among the vessels possessed by North Korea.

NK News also added, "North Korean state media claim that these vessels are equipped with Hwasal-series cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads."