President Yoon's Congratulatory Speech at Jeongjo Daewang Ship Launch Ceremony: "We Will Build Strong Maritime Security"

"Defense Industry, Fostered as an Advanced Strategic Industry Leading the Economy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 28th, "We will establish strong maritime security so that the people can safely carry out economic activities at sea."

President Yoon made these remarks during his congratulatory speech at the launching ceremony of the Navy's first next-generation Aegis destroyer, the Jeongjo the Great, held at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan that morning.

In his speech, President Yoon highlighted the significance of the Jeongjo the Great as a national strategic asset. He said, "Now, we have built the world's best Aegis destroyer, which integrates advanced technology, with our own technology," adding, "The Jeongjo the Great, the Navy's first 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, is a national strategic asset equipped with state-of-the-art combat systems capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting ballistic missiles, which will further strengthen the Navy's combat capabilities."

He also declared his intention to establish strong maritime security with the launching of the Jeongjo the Great. President Yoon stated, "99.7% of our country's import and export cargo volume is transported by sea. Without realizing the dream of becoming a maritime power that protects ourselves at sea, we cannot become an economic powerhouse," emphasizing, "We will establish strong maritime security so that the people can safely carry out economic activities at sea."

He continued, "As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I have infinite trust in the Navy personnel who protect our seas and defend the Northern Limit Line (NLL)," and urged, "I hope you will firmly guard our seas with the spirit of never retreating in battle."

President Yoon also expressed his intention to foster the defense industry as a strategic industry leading economic growth. He said, "Our shipbuilding industry regained the world's number one position in orders in the first half of this year, and we are exporting the latest warships built with our own hands to countries around the world. The government will nurture the defense industry as an advanced strategic industry leading economic growth," pledging, "The development of world-class advanced weapon systems will lead to defense exports and economic growth drivers."

Furthermore, he stated, "Our military will leap forward as a science and technology-strong force through defense innovation at the level of a second founding. Our dream and challenge toward becoming a new maritime power will continue," and urged, "Once again, congratulations on the launching of the Jeongjo the Great, and let us all unite our strength to realize the dream of becoming a new maritime power."

After President Yoon's speech, President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee celebrated the birth of the Jeongjo the Great and wished for its safe navigation through the launching ceremony's cutting of the launching line and safe navigation ritual.

The Presidential Office explained that since the early 19th century, when Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom first presided over the launching ceremony of British warships, the tradition of a woman leading the ceremony was established, which is why First Lady Kim took charge of cutting the launching line on this day.

Not only President Yoon and the First Lady but also Navy Colonel (Promoted) Kim Jeong-sul, the commissioning captain who will command the ship in the future, and Lee Eun-ji, an employee of Hyundai Heavy Industries' Special Ship Division who contributed throughout the basic design and construction process of the ship, participated in the safe navigation ritual representing the attendees to pray for the safe voyage of the Jeongjo the Great.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.