Hyundai Heavy Industries reveals Jeongjo The Great destroyer ship

The Jeongjo The Great destoyer is docked at Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan on Thursday. [HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES]

Hyundai Heavy Industries launched an 8,200-ton next-generation Aegis ship named Jeongjo The Great from the company’s shipyard in Ulsan on Thursday, with President Yoon Suk-yeol in attendance at the launch ceremony.

Named after a revered king of the Joseon Dynasty, the Jeongjo The Great destroyer is equipped with ballistic missile interception capability and significantly improved anti-submarine operation capability. The destroyer is 170 meters (558 feet) long and 21 meters wide and applies the newest Aegis combat system, while being able to sail at a maximum speed of 30 knots, or about 35 miles per hour.

At the launch ceremony, around 150 people including senior government, military and industry officials were present, with Yoon, first lady Kim Kun-hee, Navy Chief Lee Jong-ho and Hyundai Heavy Industries Chairman Kwon Oh-gap among them.

“Hyundai Heavy Industries will contribute strengthening our navy’s power with this new Aegis ship, Jeongjo The Great,” the company’s vice chairman Han Young-seuk said at the launch ceremony.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]