President, first lady christen Korea's most deadly destroyer

Home > National > Defense

President, first lady christen Korea's most deadly destroyer

Published: 28 Jul. 2022, 17:08 Updated: 27 May. 2024, 18:18

President Yoon Suk-yeol, center left, and first lady Kim Keon-hee, center right, wave during a launch ceremony for the Jeongjo the Great Aegis destroyer at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk-yeol christened the King Jeongjo the Great, the South Korean Navy's most cutting-edge destroyer, Thursday.

A ceremony to launch the 8,200-ton KDX-III Batch-II Aegis destroyer, designed largely with domestic technology, was held at the Hyundai Heavy Industries main shipyard in Ulsan.

The warship is equipped with the latest Aegis combat system, which has the ability to track and intercept ballistic missiles. It is expected to play a major role in the Korean Missile Defense System (KAMD).

KAMD is one pillar of the South Korean military's three-axis system to deter North Korean nuclear and missile threats. The other two are the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike system and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation plan.

The vessel was named after King Jeongjo the Great (1752-1800), reformist ruler of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) who achieved a cultural and industrial renaissance during his reign.

The warship is 170 meters (558 feet) long and 21 meters wide, larger than the 7,600-ton Sejong the Great Aegis destroyer, and has stealth performance features to protect against enemy attacks. It is fitted with ship-to-ground guided ballistic missiles and long-range ship-to-air guided missiles. This could include SM-6s (standard missile-6) with a range of up to 460 kilometers. It has an advanced sonar system with improved ability to target underwater threats such as enemy submarines and torpedoes.

The destroyer will be able to carry MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, expected to be introduced by the Navy in 2024.

"The Republic of Korea Navy's first 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, Jeongjo the Great, will contribute to strengthening the Navy's combat capabilities," Yoon said in a speech, "serving as a national strategic asset equipped with the ability to detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles based on a cutting-edge combat system."

Noting that 99.7 percent of the Korea's trade volume is transported by sea, Yoon continued, "Korea cannot become an economic powerhouse if we can't achieve our dream of becoming a maritime power that can safeguard ourselves on the seas. To ensure that Koreans can safely engage in economic activities, my administration will be committed to robust maritime security."

He commended naval personnel defending the waters and the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and described those involved in the shipbuilding and defense industries as "key players in the K-defense industry."

The ceremony was attended by some 150 people including Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Eom Dong-hwan, Adm. Lee Jong-ho, chief of naval operations, other senior government and military officials and lawmakers. It was also attended by defense and shipbuilding industry insiders including Hyundai Heavy Industries Chairman Kwon Oh-gap.

First lady Kim Keon-hee took part in cutting the launch line, a naval traditional comparable to cutting the umbilical cord of a newborn baby. It is traditionally done by women. It was Kim's first official activity since returning from a NATO summit in Madrid at the beginning of the month.

Yoon and Kim also took part in a tape-cutting event and a champagne bottle breaking ceremony to ward off bad luck.

DAPA began designing the destroyer in 2016 and a ceremony to mark the start of construction took place last year. The destroyer is expected to be delivered to the Navy in late 2024.

It is the Korean Navy's fourth Aegis destroyer. Two more destroyers like Jeongjo are on their way.

Cannons are fired during a launching ceremony for the Korean Navy’s 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, King Jeongjo the Great, at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]