South Korea's second next-generation Aegis destroyer, the ROKS Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (DDG-996)
On September 17th, South Korea held the launch ceremony for its second next-generation Aegis destroyer, just months after the launch of the first, King Jeongjo. The new vessel has been named the ROKS Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (DDG-996), honoring the legendary Korean thinker and reformer, Jeong Yak-yong, also known as Dasan.
The launch ceremony took place at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, a fitting venue given the country’s long-standing reputation as a shipbuilding powerhouse.
Bigger, Faster, Smarter: The Jeongjo-Class Destroyer
The Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is part of the Jeongjo-class destroyers, weighing in at 8,200 tons, with a total length of 170 meters, a beam of 21 meters, and a top speed of 30 knots (about 55 km/h).
Compared to the earlier Sejong the Great-class destroyers (7,600 tons), the Jeongjo-class ships are larger and significantly more capable.
Enhanced ballistic missile detection and tracking capabilities
Future integration of SM-3 interceptors for mid-course ballistic missile defense
Deployment of SM-6 missiles for terminal-phase interception
This layered defense approach represents a major leap forward for South Korea’s naval power and its ability to respond to North Korean missile threats.
Upgraded Weapons and Tech
The Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is armed with a robust weapons system:
Land-attack cruise missiles, giving it long-range strike capability against strategic targets
A domestically developed integrated sonar system, dramatically improving detection of underwater threats such as submarines and torpedoes
Long-range anti-submarine torpedoes and lightweight torpedoes for a full spectrum of anti-submarine warfare
Support for the MH-60R Seahawk naval operations helicopter, adding another layer of versatility to its missions
The naming of the vessel carries symbolic meaning: it reflects the spirit of public service and innovation associated with Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, while also representing South Korea’s commitment to building a trustworthy, high-tech navy.
Strategic Core of the Korean Navy
In a joint statement, the South Korean Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)emphasized that the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong will serve as a central pillar of South Korea’s future naval strategy.
Together with the King Jeongjo (the first ship of its class), this destroyer represents the strongest surface combat capability the Korean Navy has ever possessed.
It will play a pivotal role in South Korea’s maritime-based three-axis defense system and serve as the backbone of the nation’s mobile naval fleet.
The KDX Program: Korea’s Destroyer Evolution
The Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is part of the Korean Destroyer eXperimental (KDX) program, which has been instrumental in transforming the Korean Navy into a modern maritime force.
The program is divided into three main stages:
KDX-I (3,200 tons): Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers
KDX-II (4,400 tons): Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers
KDX-III (7,600+ tons): Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers
The Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is specifically KDX-III Batch-II, the second ship in this upgraded line.
Batch refers to a group of ships built with the same specs and capabilities.
The higher the batch number, the more advanced the technology.
When fully completed, there will be three Jeongjo-class destroyers, including the King Jeongjo, Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, and a third ship yet to be launched.
Each Aegis destroyer costs approximately 1.2 trillion KRW (around $870 million) to build.
Globally, only six nations — including South Korea — currently operate Aegis destroyers, underscoring their strategic importance and status as symbols of naval dominance.
With this launch, South Korea’s fleet of Aegis destroyers grows to five total ships, strengthening the nation’s maritime power projection.
Protests in the Shadows of the Launch
While the destroyer launch captured headlines, another dramatic scene was unfolding nearby.
Union leader Baek Ho-seon, from the Korean Metal Workers' Union’s Hyundai Heavy Industries branch, staged a high-altitude protest, climbing a 40-meter turnover crane to oppose the ceremony.
Baek demanded fair wage negotiations and denounced what he described as management’s insincere bargaining practices.
On September 15th, the Korean Metal Workers' Union and the Shipbuilding Union Alliance issued a joint statement urging the Defense Minister to focus on facilitating labor negotiations rather than attending the ceremony.
The unions warned that continued bad-faith negotiations could escalate into all-out strikes, with protests growing more intense.
“The Defense Minister should demand sincere talks from management instead of presiding over a launch ceremony.
If they proceed with the event, they will face fierce resistance,” the statement read.
Why Trump Might Take Notice
The sight of this cutting-edge warship could very well make Donald Trump sweat, given his well-documented interest in military hardware and shipbuilding technology.
South Korea’s MASGA (Make Shipbuilding Great Again) ambitions are impressive, but they also raise concerns.
While they bolster national defense and industrial strength, there are fears of weakened domestic shipbuilding industries and poor treatment of workers in the race to stay competitive.
A Symbol of Power — and Tension
The launch of the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is a powerful symbol of South Korea’s growing naval might, sending a message to regional rivals and allies alike.
Yet, just steps away from the ceremony, workers were literally hanging in protest, a stark reminder that technological triumph often comes with social and economic costs.
This juxtaposition — a state-of-the-art warship sailing into the future while workers fight for fair treatment — captures the complexity of South Korea’s rise as a global maritime power.
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