South Korea names final KDX-III Batch-II Aegis destroyer ROKS Daeho Kim Jongseo.

The Republic of Korea Navy has named DDG-997 Daeho Kim Jongseo, the third and final Jeongjo the Great-class destroyer of the KDX-III Batch-II program.

On February 13, 2026, KFN News reported that the Republic of Korea Navy had named the third and final Jeongjo the Great-class destroyer of the KDX-III Batch-II program, the DDG-997, as ROKS Daeho Kim Jongseo. The vessel, which completes South Korea’s three-ship KDX-III Batch-II Aegis destroyer class, is under construction at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and is scheduled for delivery in 2027. It will operate with SM-3 interceptors and a Hyunmoo-derived ship-to-surface ballistic missile capability.
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The name of the ship refers to Kim Jongseo, also known as Kim Chongsŏn, a South Korean military official who became one of the most powerful officials during the minority of King Danjong during the 15th century. (Picture source: South Korean MoD)

The Republic of Korea Navy announced that the third and final Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyer, the DDG-997, will be named Daeho Kim Jongseo, formally assigning the name to the last hull of the KDX-III Batch-II program. The Navy stated that the inclusion of “Daeho,” meaning Big Tiger, reflects the historical epithet associated with General Kim Jongseo and links it to the ship’s intended combat role, including ship-to-surface ballistic missile capability. The vessel is under construction at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and is scheduled for delivery to the Navy at the end of 2027. After delivery, it will undergo force integration training before being assigned to the Maneuver Fleet Command, where it is expected to serve as a principal surface combatant within the fleet structure.

The Navy explained that destroyer names are selected from figures who contributed to national defense and state identity and who are broadly respected. The selection process is conducted by the Navy Headquarters ship naming committee, which considers historical record, military association, public recognition, and continuity with existing ship names. For destroyers in particular, the principle is to select individuals who contributed to national defense and whose legacy aligns with the mission profile of major surface combatants. In this case, Kim Jongseo’s role in consolidating the northern frontier during the early Joseon period was cited as a central reason for the decision. The addition of “Daeho” was intended to emphasize the general’s tiger-related epithet in connection with the destroyer’s combat capabilities, mobility, and stated emphasis on self-reliant defense.

Kim Jongseo, also known as Kim Chongsŏn, was born in 1383 in Gongju and passed the state examination in 1405, beginning a career that combined civil administration and military command responsibilities. During the reign of King Sejong, he led campaigns in 1433 against Jurchen forces on the northern frontier, capturing fortified positions and reinforcing defensive lines. He played a central role in the establishment and consolidation of six garrisons along the Tumen River, contributing to the stabilization of the border and the expansion of territorial control in that region. He later rose to senior court positions, including Right and Left State Councillor, and became one of the most powerful officials during the minority of King Danjong. In October 1453, he was assassinated during the coup led by Grand Prince Suyang, later King Sejo, marking a decisive political shift in the Joseon court.

The Daeho Kim Jongseo (DDG-997) measures 170 meters in length, 21 meters in beam, and has a light displacement of about 8,200 tonnes, placing it among the largest surface combatants in South Korean service. It is equipped with an updated Aegis combat system configuration in Korean service, with an emphasis on enhanced ballistic missile detection and tracking capability compared with earlier variants. The South Korean Navy linked this improvement to the KDX-III Batch-II’s role within the sea-based component of South Korea’s three-axis defense structure. The destroyer is designed with increased internal volume and power generation margins to integrate air defense, missile defense, and long-range strike functions within a single hull. The combination of advanced sensors, command systems, and intercept capability allows it to function as both an escort and a command-capable unit within larger carrier or amphibious task groups.

In terms of armament, the Daeho Kim Jongseo is planned to carry a ship-to-surface ballistic missile derived from the Hyunmoo family, extending its strike reach against land-based strategic targets. The ship is also expected to embark SM-3 sea-based ballistic missile interceptors capable of exo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missile threats, including intercept missions of ICBM-class targets. This configuration combines long-range conventional strike capability with high-altitude ballistic missile defense within a single hull. The combat system integrates detection, tracking, and engagement sequencing functions required for these missions under the Aegis framework. The combination of strike missiles and interceptors allows missions that include deterrence, regional missile defense support, and fleet air defense.

The ROKS Daeho Kim Jongseo is the third and final unit of the Jeongjo the Great-class destroyer and completes the three-ship Batch-II series. The lead ship, ROKS Jeongjo the Great (DDG-995), was delivered to the Navy in 2024 and entered operational deployment the following year. The second ship, ROKS Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (DDG-996), was launched in September 2025 and is progressing toward delivery. With the commissioning of the third unit, the South Korean Navy will operate six Aegis destroyers in total, consisting of three Sejong the Great-class ships and three Jeongjo the Great-class ships, which will form the core of the Navy’s high-end surface combatant capability in the Korean Peninsula. Through the Aegis system, these six ships can detect, track, classify, and assign engagements against multiple aerial and ballistic targets in a layered defense network.

Compared with the earlier Sejong the Great-class destroyers, commonly referred to as KDX-III Batch-I, the Jeongjo the Great-class/KDX-III Batch-II ships incorporate displacement growth, updated Aegis system elements, and a stronger emphasis on ballistic missile defense integration. Batch-II vessels are designed to support the embarkation of ship-to-surface ballistic missiles in addition to SM-3 interceptors, expanding both offensive and defensive mission sets beyond the baseline Batch-I configuration. The enhanced ballistic missile detection and tracking performance reflects structural and system-level modifications introduced in the Batch-II design. These differences position the Jeongjo the Great-class as an evolution of the original KDX-III concept, aligning it more directly with integrated national missile defense objectives and long-range strike requirements. The Navy has also indicated plans to pursue the Korean Destroyer Next Generation program, known as KDDX, to acquire additional 6,000-ton class destroyers equipped with domestically developed combat systems.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.