The design for a submarine rescue ship was first offered for export as the DW 4000R Koje class.

One ship of the design was ordered in 1992 to support the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN)'s submarine fleet.

The vessel is capable of providing battery charging, provisions, fuel, oxygen and water to ROKN submarines.

The vessel is also equipped with shaped rudders and a dynamic positioning system which all the ship to better maneuver at low speeds.

[2] The Cheonghaejin class has a towing winch and carries two landing craft vehicle personnel on davits for use as work boats.

[4] In 2023, the vessel was ordered to recover sections of a rocket fired by North Korea into the Yellow Sea.