HD Hyundai Launches "Daeho Kim Jong-seo" Frigate

*This content was translated by AI.

The third ship of the next-generation Aegis destroyer class was launched as the "Daeho Kim Jong-seo," named after the "Tiger of the North."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on the 30th that it held the launching ceremony for the "Daeho Kim Jong-seo," the third ship of the 8,200-ton next-generation Aegis destroyer class.

The launching ceremony, held at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan Shipyard, was attended by approximately 350 officials from the government, military, and company, including President Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung, Kang Shin-cheol, Minister of National Defense, Admiral Kim Kyung-ryul, Chief of Naval Operations, and HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun.

The next-generation Aegis destroyer launched on this day was named "Daeho Kim Jong-seo" after the courtesy name (ho) and personal name of General Kim Jong-seo, the "Tiger of the North" who pioneered the Four Garrisons and Six Fortresses in the early Joseon Dynasty. Kim Jong-seo was a civil official but is also well known as a "master archer" capable of hitting the target every time out of 100 shots, renowned for his martial valor. The Daeho Kim Jong-seo will be delivered to the Navy in December next year after sea trials.

The Daeho Kim Jong-seo measures 170 meters in length and 21 meters in width, with a light displacement of approximately 8,200 tons, capable of navigating at a maximum speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 km/h). Equipped with an advanced integrated sonar system and ballistic missile defense system developed using domestic technology, the ship is also capable of performing interception missions not found in existing Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers, and is evaluated as a core force in the sea-based mobile Kill Chain, Advanced Threat Kill Chain, and Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system.

In particular, the launching of the Daeho Kim Jong-seo holds great significance in that it completes the Navy's Aegis destroyer force structure. Once commissioned in December next year, the Navy will possess a total of six Aegis destroyers: three Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-I) and three King Jeongjo-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II).

Previously, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries designed and built the first ship, "Sejong the Great," and the third ship, "Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong," of the Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers in 2008 and 2012, respectively. Since then, starting with the first ship, "King Jeongjo," of the King Jeongjo-class Aegis destroyers in 2024, the company has designed and built the second ship, "Dasan Jeong Yak-yong," and the third ship, "Daeho Kim Jong-seo," achieving the milestone of constructing five out of the six Aegis destroyers to be operated by the Korean Navy.

HD Hyundai Jeong Gi-seon (Chairman) stated, "This year marks the 50th anniversary since HD Hyundai Heavy Industries began developing the 'Ulsan' ship, the first domestically produced combat vessel in South Korea, making this launching ceremony all the more meaningful."

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*This content was translated by AI.