Three Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers—Jeongjo Daewang, Dasan Jeong Yakyong and Daeho Kim Jongseo—were brought together at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard, placing the class’s units at different build stages in the same location.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said on the 19th it named the occasion “Aegis Destroyer Day” and invited the commanding officers of the three ships for an appreciation event. Company president Joo Wonho attended, meeting the officers to discuss strengthening competitiveness in naval defence and describing the gathering as a meaningful scene for the country’s naval defence industry.
The programme includes one ship already handed over, one nearing delivery, and one still in build. Jeongjo Daewang, the lead ship, was delivered to the Navy in 2024. Dasan Jeong Yakyong is conducting sea trials and evaluation work and is scheduled for delivery at the end of this year. Daeho Kim Jongseo remains under construction and is expected to enter service as an operational asset by the end of 2027 after launching and test evaluations.
The Jeongjo the Great class is presented as a next-generation Aegis destroyer with a length of 170 m, a beam of 21 m and a light displacement of 8,200 t. It is listed with a maximum speed of 30 knots and is described as offering improved target detection and tracking versus the existing Sejong the Great class. The class is also equipped with ballistic missile interception capability and is positioned as part of the “sea-based three-axis system.”
The company also pointed to external interest in its naval shipbuilding. It said senior U.S. Navy officials visited Korea last year, boarded Jeongjo Daewang and Dasan Jeong Yakyong, and examined their technology level and production systems.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it is the only domestic shipbuilder to have led the basic design of both the Sejong the Great-class and Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers. It added that, beginning with the development of the Ulsan in 1976, it built the full Ulsan-class frigate series and has constructed more than 100 warships and special-purpose vessels. The shipbuilder also said it holds Korea’s record for the largest number of naval-vessel exports.
