South Korea's Second 3,600-ton Submarine 'Seohee' to Launch This Year

The second vessel of the Navy's 3,600-ton class latest submarine, Jangbogo-III Batch-II, has been named 'Seohee' in honor of the historical figure Seo Hui. The Navy announced that the name was decided through the Naval Headquarters' Naming Committee.

Seohee is the second vessel in the Navy's Jangbogo-III Batch-II project. The name was chosen to commemorate the achievements of the renowned statesman Seo Hui, who acquired the 600-mile territory of Gangdong by diplomatic prowess during the Goryeo Dynasty's invasion by the Khitan. Seo Hui, upon the Khitan's invasion with a large army, met with the enemy commander and persuaded him that not engaging in war would be beneficial for the Khitan, leading to the enemy's withdrawal and the acquisition of the Gangdong 6 provinces. The Navy assessed that the outstanding military and diplomatic achievements and spirit of overcoming national crises embodied by the great statesman Seo Hui are fitting for the name of a submarine, a key asset for maritime defense.

The 3,600-ton class submarines being built under the Jangbogo-III Batch-II program are larger in appearance and have improved performance compared to the Batch-I Dosan Ahn Changho class (3,000-ton class). Enhancements in combat and sonar systems have improved target detection and processing capabilities, and the number of vertical launch tubes for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) has increased from six to ten. The Seohee is scheduled to be launched in the second half of this year and is expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2028. This model was proposed by South Korea for the Canadian Submarine Program (CPSP) and is expected to contribute to promoting the excellence of South Korea's submarine capabilities in the future.

Meanwhile, the Navy has named the fifth vessel of its 3,600-ton class new frigates, measuring 129 meters in length and 14.8 meters in width, as 'Pyeongtaek'. The Pyeongtaek was named after the city of Pyeongtaek, where the ROK Navy's Second Fleet Command is headquartered, and was decided considering its symbolic security significance as the location of a key naval base for defending the West Sea. The Pyeongtaek is scheduled for delivery to the Navy next year.