A group of 30 foreign defense attachés stationed in South Korea visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan headquarters on 31 December 2025, as the shipbuilder used the program to present its naval construction and support capabilities.
The delegation, drawn from 25 countries including Australia, Peru, Thailand, and the United States, joined a cooperation event organized by the Defense Intelligence Agency. The schedule included a welcome luncheon hosted by Joo Won-ho, head of the company’s Naval and Mid-sized Vessel Business Division, followed by a visit to the shipyard and naval construction areas.
During the tour, the visitors viewed a range of vessels covering both newbuild and maintenance activity. The lineup included the 8,200-tonne Aegis destroyer Daeho Kim Jong-seo, a 3,000-tonne coast guard patrol vessel, a 2,400-tonne offshore patrol vessel being built for the Philippines, and a submarine in depot-level maintenance.
The company said the attachés focused closely on capabilities that span design, construction, maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as related advanced systems.
Joo Won-ho said the visit allowed HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to present its technology and shipbuilding capacity directly to overseas defense representatives. He added that the company plans to widen naval cooperation with countries in overseas markets.
The company also said its Naval and Mid-sized Vessel Business Division was launched after the merger with HD Hyundai Mipo in December last year. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it has exported 20 warships in total, including 12 vessels to the Philippine Navy and four to the Peruvian Navy.
