[Edaily Reporter kim kwanyong ] On the 19th of last month, three of the South Korean Navy’s newest 8,200-metric-ton Aegis destroyers gathered simultaneously at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan. The lead ship, the King Jeongjo, docked for warranty repairs following its handover to the Navy, while the second ship, the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, is currently undergoing sea trials. The third ship, the Daeho Kim Jong-seo, is also in the final stages of construction at the same shipyard.

This scene holds significance beyond a mere ceremony. The Aegis destroyer is a top-tier surface combat system that integrates anti-air, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-land capabilities. It is considered a key indicator of a nation’s maritime defense capabilities. In particular, the King Jeongjo-class features improved target detection and tracking capabilities compared to the existing King Sejong-class and is equipped with intercept capabilities. The very fact that South Korea is consecutively building such advanced combat ships demonstrates the current standing of K-maritime defense.

. On the 23rd, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries marked the 50th anniversary of its designation as South Korea’s first naval defense contractor. This is regarded as more than just a corporate anniversary; it is considered a historic milestone marking the beginning of South Korea’s naval defense industry. This is because, around the same time, development began on the “Ulsan,” South Korea’s first domestically built combat vessel, marking the country’s entry into full-scale independent shipbuilding.

In the 1970s, the South Korean Navy was limited to operating primarily retired vessels acquired from the United States. The shipbuilding industry was also in its infancy, limited to the construction of small support vessels. However, as North Korea’s maritime threats persisted and were compounded by moves to reduce U.S. Forces Korea, the need for self-reliant national defense grew. Ultimately, despite a lack of technology and experience, the government and military took on the challenge of building a domestically produced combat vessel.

The development of the combat vessel, which began in Ulsan in March 1976, was a series of countless obstacles. With not even design blueprints available, hundreds of engineers began designing from scratch and gradually accumulated shipbuilding expertise through repeated trial and error. As a result, in 1980—just four years after the project began—South Korea’s first domestically produced warship, the “Ulsan,” was launched. This marked South Korea’s entry into the ranks of nations capable of producing their own warships, a group that at the time consisted of only about ten countries.

Following the Ulsan, South Korea’s naval shipbuilding industry rapidly expanded its scope. After localizing its core naval capabilities with the Ulsan-class frigates and the Donghae-class and Pohang-class patrol ships, the industry evolved in the 1990s through the Korean Destroyer (KDX) program, leading to the Gwanggaeto the Great-class, Admiral Yi Sun-sin-class, and King Sejong the Great-class destroyers. Today, with the introduction of the King Jeongjo-class—which features enhanced ballistic missile defense capabilities—South Korea has established itself as one of the few nations in the world capable of building Aegis destroyers.

The evolution in the submarine sector has followed a similar trajectory. Starting with the domestic construction of the Jang Bogo-class (Type 209), followed by the Son Won-il-class (Type 214), and continuing with the 3,000-metric-ton Jang Bogo-III system, South Korea has made a leap forward as a nation capable of independently designing and building not only surface vessels but also submarine forces.

In particular, the South Korean maritime defense industry is expanding its presence in the global market beyond securing domestic capabilities. South Korean shipyards are achieving success by exporting naval vessels to countries such as the Philippines and Peru. They are recognized as suppliers that offer a competitive edge in performance, cost, and delivery times.

Consequently, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is ranked among the world’s top 5 to 7 shipbuilders in rankings such as Jane’s. Hanwha Ocean is also mentioned as a leading contender for major global submarine projects, such as Canada’s submarine program, ranking between 8th and 10th, as domestic shipyards solidify their position as “global maritime defense companies.” Furthermore, as major countries around the world face shortages in naval vessel construction capabilities, South Korea is gaining attention as a strategic partner capable of supporting the United States, which boasts the world’s largest naval force.

An official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries stated, “The 50 years spanning from the Ulsan-class destroyer to the King Jeongjo-class destroyer represent Korea’s condensed growth story—a transformation from a ‘follower’ struggling with technological deficiencies to a maritime defense partner sought after by the world,” adding, “Now, Korea’s maritime defense industry is preparing to set sail for the ‘next 50 years,’ heading toward manned-unmanned integrated forces, AI-based naval vessels, and future maritime capabilities.”