The Republic of Korea Navy’s third Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyer, Daeho Kim Jong-seo, was launched in Ulsan on September 30.
The fact that a new vessel has been put into the water does not mean it immediately becomes part of the Navy’s forces.
Following sea trials and evaluations, Daeho Kim Jong-seo is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in December 2027.
3-Line Summary
1. Daeho Kim Jong-seo was launched on September 30.
2. The target date for delivery to the Navy is December 2027.
3. The six-ship structure will be completed after delivery.
The Third Jeongjo the Great-Class Vessel Launched in Ulsan
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held a launching ceremony on September 30 at its Ulsan Shipyard for Daeho Kim Jong-seo, an 8,200-ton-class (8200-ton-class) next-generation Aegis destroyer. Launching is one stage in the shipbuilding process in which a vessel is put into the water, and is distinct from the start of operations or delivery to the Navy.
The ship’s name was taken from the pen name “Daeho” and the name of General Kim Jong-seo, who led the northern expansion during the reign of King Sejong the Great of Joseon. This vessel is the third Jeongjo the Great-class vessel (KDX-Ⅲ Batch-Ⅱ).
According to Haesa Shinmun, it is 170m long and 21m wide, and was designed to sail at a maximum speed of 30 knots. It is also equipped with an integrated sonar system developed using domestic technology. The report said it was designed to have enhanced ballistic-missile response capabilities compared with the existing Sejong the Great class, performing not only detection and tracking but also interception missions.
The Sixth Aegis Ship, but Force Integration Remains Ahead
The Navy operates 3 Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers. Following the Jeongjo the Great-class lead ship Jeongjo the Great and the second ship Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, once Daeho Kim Jong-seo is delivered, a six-Aegis-destroyer structure combining 3 Sejong the Great-class ships and 3 Jeongjo the Great-class ships will be established.
Accordingly, the key point of this event is not that the number of ships immediately increased. Rather, the final vessel has entered the launching stage, while sea trials and various evaluations remain before delivery to the Navy. Haesa Shinmun reported that Daeho Kim Jong-seo is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in December 2027.
The Office of the President of the Republic of Korea assessed that this launch completed 19 years of Aegis-ship construction. This was the government’s position stated at the event; the actual point at which the Navy’s forces are complete can be determined only after the scheduled delivery and force-integration process have been completed.
The Construction Process Continuing from the 2007 Sejong the Great
According to the Office of the President, the Navy’s first Aegis ship, Sejong the Great, was launched in Ulsan’s Mipo Bay in 2007. Daeho Kim Jong-seo was introduced as the sixth and final Aegis ship to follow it.
This launch was also an occasion to emphasize Korea’s capabilities to design, build, and operate Aegis ships directly. However, the distinction readers should make is clear. The launch is a confirmed event, delivery in December 2027 is a plan, and completion of the six-ship force structure is the result after that plan is carried out.
References
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