Participants in a signing ceremony applaud the delivery of the ROKS Jeongjo the Great at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan, Wednesday. Courtesy of HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) held a signing ceremony, Wednesday, to celebrate the delivery of the ROKS Jeongjo the Great destroyer to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy at its shipyard in Ulsan.

Named after the 22nd monarch of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, the ship is Korea's first locally developed 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, which is larger than previous Aegis destroyers designed and built by Korean shipbuilders.

In addition to the Korean naval officers, U.S. Consul Nolan Barkhouse, Ecuadorian Ambassador Patricio Esteban Troya Suarez, Polish Charge d'Affaires Artur Gradziuk and envoys from Morocco, Chile, Thailand and Peru attended the ceremony.

HD HHI said that the diplomats also examined the Chungnam-class frigate, which will be delivered to the ROK Navy next month.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries CEO Lee Sang-kyun, second from left, and Joo Won-ho, fourth from right, head of the company's naval and special ship business, pose with naval officers during a signing ceremony to celebrate the delivery of the ROKS Jeongjo the Great at its shipyard in Ulsan, Wednesday. Courtesy of HD Hyundai

The shipbuilder expects the recent event to help increase its naval ship exports to Poland and Peru.

The signing ceremony was also held as HD HHI is exploring potential cooperation with the U.S. Navy for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of U.S. warships at its shipyard.

"It's a great honor for us to successfully deliver the top-class Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great," said Joo Won-ho, head of HD HHI's naval and special ship business. "We will do our best to contribute to Korea's defense exports with the ‘Team Korea, Team Ship' spirit."

The ROKS Jeongjo the Great, the first of three next-generation Aegis Combat System-equipped destroyers built for the Republic of Korea Navy, undergoes test operations at sea in this undated file photo. Courtesy of HD Hyundai

According to HD HHI, Jeongjo the Great is equipped with the latest Aegis combat management system, multi-function phased array radar, integrated sonar system developed independently by the company, as well as a vertical launch system that is customized for the ROK Navy and ballistic missile interceptors that can detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles.

HD HHI started building the ship in 2021 after signing a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The destroyer was launched in July 2022 to undergo 550 thorough trial tests, including maximum speed evaluation.

Next year, the shipbuilder will launch the ROKS Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, another 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer named after a Joseon philosopher, who was an aide to King Jeongjo.

HD HHI began construction last month on the third 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer.