Launching Ceremony Held for Next-Generation Aegis Destroyer 'Dasan Jeong Yak-yong'

Sim Hyejeong, Wife of Minister Ahn, Cuts the Launching Line
Second Ship of the Jeongjo Daewang-class

The Navy launched the second ship of the next-generation Aegis destroyer, the Jeongjo Daewang-class (KDX-III Batch-II), named the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, on September 17.

The Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced that the launching ceremony for the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong was held that morning at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. Over 400 people attended the event, including Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek as the guest of honor and Navy Chief of Staff Kang Donggil.

In accordance with naval tradition, Sim Hyejeong, the wife of Minister Ahn, served as the sponsor of the ceremony and cut the launching line attached to the ship. For the first ship, the Jeongjo Daewang, Kim Keonhee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, acted as the sponsor.

The Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, launched on this day, measures 170 meters in length, 21 meters in width, and has a light displacement of approximately 8,200 tons. Compared to the Sejong Daewang-class, it is larger and features enhanced stealth capabilities, resulting in significantly improved overall combat performance. The Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is the most powerful Aegis destroyer among the Navy’s surface vessels. It will serve as a core asset of the maritime-based Korean three-axis system and as a mainstay of the Navy's mobile fleet.

Notably, the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is equipped with the latest Aegis combat system, which improves its detection and tracking capabilities against ballistic missiles. Unlike the Sejong Daewang-class, it is armed with ship-to-ground ballistic guided missiles and long-range ship-to-air guided missiles, enabling long-range strikes against key strategic targets and providing interception capabilities against ballistic missiles.

Additionally, it is equipped with an advanced integrated sonar system developed with domestic technology, greatly enhancing its ability to detect underwater threats such as enemy submarines and torpedoes. The ship is also capable of anti-submarine attacks using long-range anti-submarine torpedoes and lightweight torpedoes, and will be equipped with the recently introduced MH-60R maritime operation helicopter, further strengthening its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong will undergo sea trials and is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy at the end of 2026. After completing the force integration process, it will be deployed to the Mobile Fleet Command.