The ship is designed for patrolling maritime border, including the Northern Limit Line, protecting the littoral zone, and combating the North Korean vessels.

Prior to the Donghae-class, the Republic of Korea Navy operated ex-US warships of similar role and size built during the World War II, which the ships were in imminent retirement condition in 1980.

Therefore, the ROKN planned a small cost-efficient yet heavily armed patrol vessel that can support Ulsan-class by providing numeric advantage as low-end platform.

The hull design was contested by the ROKN officer Captain Eom Do-jae, the supervisor of the Ulsan-class frigate, for V-shape for better speed-length ratio.

[4] During sea trial, ROKS Donghae experienced singing on its propellers at 110 to 140 rpm, which was critical in performing anti-submarine warfare.

However, the ship lacks air-search radar along with anti-air weapon, which was the biggest topic among the militaries of the world as a result of the Falklands War, due to low on budget.

[1] The ship has limited defense capability against air and missile attack, only assisted by GoldStar ULQ-12K ESM (electronic support measures) and Mk 36 SRBOC (Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures).