Lee Links New Aegis Destroyer to Push for Self-Reliant Defense

President Lee Jae Myung pledged to strengthen South Korea’s ability to defend itself as the country launched the final ship in its next-generation Aegis destroyer program on Wednesday.

Speaking at a ceremony in Ulsan, Lee described self-reliant national defense as an essential part of sovereignty. He said security that depends on other countries can become vulnerable when their circumstances change, and argued that a nation capable of protecting itself is better placed to determine its own future.

The newly launched ROKS Daeho Kim Jong Seo is the third and final 8,200-ton destroyer built under the Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II project. It is also the sixth and final domestically developed Aegis-equipped destroyer in South Korea’s broader fleet-building program, which began in 2002. The vessel was built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Named after a prominent military commander of the Joseon era, the destroyer is 170 meters long and 21 meters wide. It is equipped with a domestically developed integrated sonar system and improved ballistic-missile defense functions, including an interception capability not available on the older Sejong the Great-class ships. The vessel is expected to serve as a sea-based element of South Korea’s three-axis defense system.

Lee said the government intends to add other strategic assets over time, including nuclear-powered submarines and carriers designed to operate both crewed and uncrewed systems. He also called for faster adoption of advanced civilian technologies in defense, stronger research cooperation among the military, universities and companies, and streamlined procedures to bring new capabilities into service.

The president connected the naval milestone to a wider industrial strategy. He characterized defense as a core national industry and promised support for shipbuilding, defense exports and overseas cooperation. South Korea’s shipyards already hold a strong position in commercial vessels, and the government is seeking to translate that expertise into growth in naval construction and other high-value defense markets.

The launch completes a 24-year effort to establish a six-ship indigenous Aegis fleet. Lee said the achievement demonstrated that South Korea can design and build advanced warships domestically, while presenting the program as both a security asset and a platform for future industrial competitiveness.