The latest Aegis destroyer, Daehokimjongseo, was launched on the 30th at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Shipyard. The sixth ship in the plan to develop six indigenous Aegis destroyers was named after General Kim Jong-seo, who led the opening of the six northern garrisons during the reign of King Sejong of Joseon.
The naming of warships varies by the type of ship and its mission. Destroyers are named after historical figures, and frigates are named after regions.
According to the Navy and the shipbuilding industry on the 18th, large surface combatants such as destroyers, like Daehokimjongseo, are named after historical figures or people who contributed to defending the nation.
The Navy’s first Aegis destroyer, commissioned in 2008, took its name from King Sejong. Of the three 7,600-ton Sejong the Great-class ships, the other two are called Yulgok Yi I and Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong.
The three 8,200-ton Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers are called Jeongjo the Great, Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, and Daehokimjongseo.
Ship names are set by the Navy Headquarters’ Ship Naming Committee before the launch ceremony, considering historical facts, military relevance, public recognition, and links to existing names. A Navy official said, “When naming a warship, we conduct preliminary research such as public awareness surveyed by relevant agencies, evaluations from the historical community, and service members’ preferences,” and added, “We decide through the Ship Naming Committee based on these basic materials.”
In the process of deciding the name of Daehokimjongseo, candidates reportedly included Kwon Yul, Choi Yoon-deok, Kim Jong-seo, and Kim Si-min. The Navy did not disclose the candidate names. That was to avoid the misunderstanding that it ranks great figures.
Frigates are named after regions. Under the Navy’s naming standards, frigates and patrol ships use the names of provinces, special and metropolitan cities, provincial capitals, and medium and small cities.
The new frigate Pyeongtaek, whose name was set in July, took its name from Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where the Navy’s 2nd Fleet Command is located. Considerations included the ship’s future deployment to the 2nd Fleet and the symbolism of Pyeongtaek as a key naval base for defending the Yellow Sea.
Submarines are named after people who contributed to the development of military power, maritime power, and science and technology, or to resistance against foreign powers and the independence movement, earning the public’s respect. Representative examples include Dosan Ahn Changho, Ahn Mu, Shin Chae-ho, and Jang Young-sil.
In July, the Navy designated the name of the second 3,600-ton submarine under construction as Seo Hee. It took the name of Seo Hee, who, during the Goryeo era, secured the six Gando prefectures through diplomatic negotiations during the Khitan invasion.
Amphibious ships are named after mountain peaks, such as Cheonwangbong, Cheonjabong, and Ilchulbong, and mine warfare ships are named after medium and small cities, such as Gangjin, Goryeong, and Gimpo.
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