New Dasan Jeong Yak-Yong Aegis Destroyer Anchors South Korea Layered Defense Strategy.

In a LinkedIn post on September 17, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced that South Korea had launched at its Ulsan shipyard the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, the second vessel of the “Jeongjo the Great” class. This 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, referred to as the “Shield of the Ocean,” represents a step forward in the country’s naval capabilities, both technically and strategically.
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The destroyer also carries land-attack missiles capable of striking strategic infrastructure deep inland, along with an indigenously developed sonar system that improves its anti-submarine warfare capacity (Picture source: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries )

At 170 meters long and 21 meters wide, the vessel is built for speed as well as endurance, reaching around 30 knots, about 55 km/h. Its combat core is the newest version of the U.S.-made Aegis system, giving the Navy sharper eyes for tracking and detecting ballistic missiles. Over the coming years, it will be fitted with Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors, creating a layered shield against threats at different stages of flight. For Seoul, the logic is clear: add redundancy, intercept earlier, and reduce the risks posed by North Korea’s missile arsenal.

The destroyer also carries land-attack missiles capable of striking strategic infrastructure deep inland, along with an indigenously developed sonar system that improves its anti-submarine warfare capacity. In addition, it can operate the recently acquired MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which enhances anti-submarine missions and broadens tactical options. The vessel is scheduled for delivery to the South Korean Navy by the end of next year, following sea trials.

The launch comes at a time when the South Korean Navy is undergoing continued transformation. It fields around 70,000 personnel, including marine forces, organized into three main fleets operating in the East Sea, the Yellow Sea, and the Korea Strait. The structure also includes an independent submarine command and a naval air wing. The current inventory lists 21 submarines, among them three Dosan An Chang-ho (KSS-III) class units with air-independent propulsion and ballistic missile capability, as well as nine more recent Son Won-il (KSS-II) class submarines able to carry Haeseong III cruise missiles.

On the surface fleet side, Seoul operates 26 major combatants, including four Sejong the Great-class destroyers and the first vessel of the Jeongjo class, which entered service before the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong. These ships form the backbone of the country’s air and missile defense. The fleet also includes frigates, corvettes, and amphibious ships, providing the means to deploy marine forces along the peninsula’s coastlines and beyond.

This naval expansion is part of a broader modernization effort. In 2025, Seoul is allocating $45.5 billion to defense, with growing investment in advanced detection technologies, space, and cyber defense. The “Defense Innovation 4.0” program, launched in 2023, replaced the earlier reform and emphasizes an integrated concept known as the “Kill Web.” This framework is designed to counter North Korean threats during the preparation stage of missile launches, as part of the so-called “three-axis” strategy: Kill Chain, Korea Air and Missile Defense, and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation.

These choices reflect a dual approach. On one side, they aim to counter North Korea’s expanding missile arsenal with more effective interception and pre-emptive strike options. On the other hand, Seoul seeks to strengthen its strategic autonomy while maintaining close interoperability with U.S. forces, of which the Aegis system is a central component. The construction of the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong illustrates this alignment, combining South Korean shipbuilding expertise with U.S. technology.