Second 3,600-ton Submarine Named 'Seo Hui,' Launch Scheduled for Second Half of Year

The second vessel of the Navy's latest 3,600-ton submarine class, the Jangbogo-III Batch-II, has been named after Seo Hui, a prominent diplomat from the Goryeo Dynasty.

The Navy announced today (July 3) that the Ship Naming Committee at the Navy Headquarters decided to name the second Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine, a Jang Yeong-sil-class vessel, the ROKS Seo Hui.

Seo Hui is a historical figure who, when the Khitan Empire invaded Goryeo with a massive army, met with the enemy commander and successfully persuaded him that avoiding war would be in the Khitan's best interest. This led to the withdrawal of enemy forces and the acquisition of the Gangdong 6-ju region.

The Navy explained, "We determined that the exceptional military and diplomatic achievements of the great statesman Seo Hui, along with his spirit of overcoming national crises, are fitting for the name of a submarine, which serves as a core asset for maritime defense."

The Navy has traditionally named its submarines after figures who are nationally respected for their contributions to military power, maritime strength, scientific and technological advancement, resistance against foreign powers, or independence movements.

The first vessel of the Jangbogo-III Batch-II class is named the ROKS Jang Yeong-sil, and subsequent vessels are classified as the Jang Yeong-sil class.

Submarines built under the Jangbogo-III Batch-II program are larger and feature significantly improved performance compared to the Batch-I Dosan Ahn Chang-ho class.

Target detection and processing capabilities have been enhanced through improvements to combat and sonar systems.

It is reported that the number of vertical launch tubes for firing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) from underwater has also increased from six to ten.

The ROKS Seo Hui is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2028. While the date for the launch ceremony has not yet been finalized, it is expected to take place in the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, the Navy has named the fifth vessel of its new 3,600-ton frigate class, which measures 129 meters in length and 14.8 meters in width, the ROKS Pyeongtaek.

The Navy has historically assigned names of special cities, metropolitan cities, provinces, provincial capitals, and small to medium-sized cities to its frigates.

The Navy explained that the name was chosen after Pyeongtaek, where the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command—where the ship will be deployed—is located, taking into account the security symbolism of the city as the site of a key naval base for protecting the West Sea.

The ROKS Pyeongtaek is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy next year.

(Photo: Courtesy of Hanwha Ocean, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.