Next-Generation Shield: Daeho Kim Jong-seo Ship Launched, Completing Navy Aegis Destroyer Fleet

To be delivered to the Navy in December 2027... Equipped with interception capabilities
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries built 5 out of 6 Aegis destroyers for the Navy
President Lee: "Actively supporting the super-gap in the shipbuilding industry"... Chung Ki-sun: "Defending the economy and security of the Republic of Korea"
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Jang Hana = The 'Daeho Kim Jong-seo,' a next-generation Aegis destroyer that will complete the Navy's Aegis destroyer force system, has been launched.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held a launching ceremony for the Daeho Kim Jong-seo, the third ship of the Jeongjo the Great-class (8,200-ton class) next-generation Aegis destroyers, at its Ulsan shipyard on the afternoon of the 30th.
President Lee Jae-myung delivering congratulatory remarks
(Ulsan=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Sang-gyun = President Lee Jae-myung is delivering congratulatory remarks at the Daeho Kim Jong-seo launching ceremony held in Ulsan on the 30th. 2026.9.30 [Blue House Press Corps]xyz@yna.co.kr
The ceremony was attended by approximately 350 people, including President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol, Chief of Naval Operations Kim Kyung-ryul, Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration Lee Yong-chul, National Assembly Defense Committee Chairman Jin Seong-jun and other members of the Defense Committee, National Assembly members Kim Tae-sun (Ulsan Dong-gu) and Yoon Jong-oh (Ulsan Buk-gu), HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Vice Chairman Lee Sang-kyun, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries President Joo Won-ho.
The Daeho Kim Jong-seo, launched today, is the third ship among the next-generation Aegis destroyers and was named after the pen name and name of General Kim Jong-seo, who led the northern expansion in the early Joseon Dynasty.
The Daeho Kim Jong-seo is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy next December following performance evaluations and sea trials.
President Lee Jae-myung attending the launching ceremony
(Ulsan=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Sang-gyun = President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are applauding after watching a congratulatory video at the Daeho Kim Jong-seo launching ceremony held in Ulsan on the 30th. 2026.9.30 [Blue House Press Corps]xyz@yna.co.kr
The Daeho Kim Jong-seo is 170m long, 21m wide, with a light displacement of approximately 8,200 tons, and is capable of sailing at a maximum speed of 30 knots (55 km/h).
Equipped with an advanced integrated sonar system and ballistic missile system developed with domestic technology, it is evaluated as a core asset of the sea-based mobile three-axis system, as it can perform interception missions that were not possible on the existing Sejong the Great-class (7,600-ton class) Aegis destroyers.
The launch of the Daeho Kim Jong-seo is highly significant in that it completes the Navy's Aegis destroyer force system.
Once operational next December, the Navy will possess a total of six Aegis destroyers, following the three Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-I) and the three Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II).
Minister Kang Shin-cheol and Chairman Chung Ki-sun
(Ulsan=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Sang-gyun = Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol and HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun are conversing at the Daeho Kim Jong-seo launching ceremony held in Ulsan on the 30th. Far left is Chief of Naval Operations Kim Kyung-ryul. 2026.9.30 [Blue House Press Corps]xyz@yna.co.kr
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has built five of the six Aegis destroyers that the Navy will operate, including the Daeho Kim Jong-seo.
Previously, in 2008 and 2012, the company designed and built the first Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyer 'Sejong the Great' and the third ship 'Seoa Ryu Seong-ryong.' Since then, starting with the first Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyer 'Jeongjo the Great' in 2024, the company has designed and built all three next-generation Aegis destroyers, including the second ship 'Dasan Jeong Yak-yong' and the third ship 'Daeho Kim Jong-seo,' proving its advanced naval vessel construction capabilities.
President Lee Jae-myung stated, "Our shipbuilding industry, which boasts the world's number one technology, is our pride and the driving force that made the Republic of Korea a maritime powerhouse. We will actively support our shipbuilding industry so that it can maintain a super-gap and move up to the next level."
HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun said, "This year marks the 50th anniversary of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries embarking on the development of the 'Ulsan,' the Republic of Korea's first domestically produced combat ship. With a sense of mission to build vessels that protect the world's oceans, we will firmly defend the economy and security of the Republic of Korea."