Name of Third Jeongjo Daewang-class Aegis Destroyer: "Daeho Kim Jongseo"

Delivery Scheduled for End of Next Year...
Total of Six Aegis Destroyers Once Fully Operational

The third and final Jeongjo Daewang-class (KDX-III Batch-II) next-generation Aegis destroyer has been named the "Daeho Kim Jongseo." The name was chosen in recognition of General Kim Jongseo's contribution to northern territorial expansion and border stabilization in the early Joseon Dynasty by pioneering six garrisons in the Tumen River area.

Daeho Kim Jongseo, the third and final ship of the Jeongjo the Great-class (KDX-III Batch-II) next-generation Aegis destroyers.

According to the Navy on February 13, the Daeho Kim Jongseo is 170 meters long, 21 meters wide, and has a standard displacement of about 8,200 tons. Equipped with the latest Aegis combat system, it has enhanced capabilities to detect and track ballistic missiles. Going forward, it is expected to be armed with ship-to-ground ballistic guided missiles and sea-based ballistic missile interceptors, enabling long-range strikes on key strategic targets as well as interception of ballistic missiles.

The name of the ship reflects the powerful combat capabilities and maneuverability of the latest Aegis destroyer, the will for self-reliant national defense, and public familiarity. For this reason, the Navy included "Daeho" (Big Tiger), one of General Kim Jongseo's pen names, in the ship’s name. Ship names are decided by the Naval Headquarters Ship Naming Committee. Destroyers are named after individuals who have contributed to national defense, the establishment of national identity, national development, and unity, and who are respected by the people. The first Jeongjo Daewang-class destroyer is the Jeongjo Daewang, and the second is the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong.

The Daeho Kim Jongseo is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy at the end of next year, after which it will undergo operational deployment training and be assigned to the Mobile Fleet Command. Once the Daeho Kim Jongseo is fully operational, the Republic of Korea Navy will possess a total of six Aegis destroyers: three Sejong Daewang-class (KDX-III) ships and three Jeongjo Daewang-class (KDX-III Batch-II) ships.

In the future, through the Korean Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) program, the Navy also plans to acquire an additional six 6,000-ton indigenous Aegis destroyers, whose hulls and Aegis systems will be built entirely with domestic technology.