김승연
| 2026-09-20 14:00:01
By Kim Seung-yeon
GEOJE, South Korea, Sept. 20 (Yonhap) -- Down a steep, vertical steel ladder from the upper hatch lies a long and narrow corridor that leaves no room for casual movement, filled with the sharp whiff of fresh paint.
Moving forward means stepping over knee-high circular bulkheads, ducking beneath curved steel frames and navigating spaces so tight that two adults cannot easily pass without turning chest-to-chest. Along the walls and ceiling runs a dense canopy of exposed electrical harnesses and intricate piping.
Every square centimeter of this 89-meter-long, 3,600-ton Seo Hui attack submarine stands as the latest testament to South Korea's naval power, mirrored in recent years by the advancement of its fleet and expanding global defense footprint.
The Seo Hui, the second vessel in South Korea's ambitious Jang Bogo-III Batch-II submarine program, stood docked at Hanwha Ocean Co.'s sprawling 4.9-million-square-meter shipyard in Geoje, 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, when it was unveiled to the press Tuesday.
Set to be launched in November, the Seo Hui stands as the apex of South Korea's naval deterrent force amid North Korea's expansion of its own naval fleet, including the recently commissioned new 5,000-ton destroyers: the Kang Kon and Choe Hyon.
This underwater fortress features vertical launch tubes capable of firing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), relying on an upgraded sensory suite, or its "eyes and ears," integrated into an advanced combat management system.
"The vertical launch system is designed to fire SLBMs by opening its top hatch and flaps. The torpedo tubes can hold a total of 20 rounds," said Kim Hak-soo, an official at Hanwha Ocean's submarine division.
Kim noted that the integrated combat suite dramatically sharpens target detection and real-time data processing, as well as precision strike capabilities.
Climbing down another narrow set of stairs to the lower deck led to the crew's quarters, housing sleeping berths, washrooms, a galley and the mess deck.
Much to the surprise of visiting reporters, Kim noted that the living area is noticeably more spacious than those on the earlier Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class submarines.
"We have enough room for crew members to finally have their own bunks, for the most part," he added.
What truly sets the Seo Hui apart from other submarines is its hybrid propulsion system, which pairs an air-independent propulsion (AIP) fuel-cell system with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries.
According to Hanwha, this world-first configuration gives the vessel unprecedented submerged endurance, allowing it to remain underwater longer than any other diesel-fueled vessel operating today.
In an adjacent dock stood the 3,600-ton Pyeongtaek frigate, the fifth vessel of the latest Ulsan-class Batch-III program.
Named after the city that hosts the Navy's 2nd Fleet, the Pyeongtaek, measuring 130m long and 15m wide, is currently undergoing systems testing following its launch last month.
The frigate carries a heavy mix of firepower, including a 5-inch main gun and vertical missile launch tubes for anti-missile and anti-ship defense, as well as long-range anti-submarine torpedoes.
The frigate is also set to be launched in November, ahead of its scheduled delivery to the Navy in late 2027.
Across the shipyard, the shipbuilder's two primary production facilities were hard at work on the third Jang Bogo-III submarine. Resting on massive steel supports were 7m-wide cylindrical hull sections, waiting to be joined together.
"They will be welded into a single hull once all seven modules are completed," said Seol Jae-hak, general manager at the naval ship production planning team.
Hanwha Ocean, formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., has been at the forefront of South Korea's naval defense since launching under its new name in May 2023.
Domestically, the shipbuilder solidified its standing by securing design and construction contracts to build the next-generation KDDX destroyer.
Beyond domestic waters, Hanwha is aggressively expanding its global footprint. Though unsuccessful, the company was a top contender for the multibillion-dollar Canadian Patrol Submarine Project earlier this year, standing toe to toe with legacy European competitors.
Hanwha is particularly bringing its advanced shipbuilding edge to support Washington's push to revitalize its naval industrial base.
Following its acquisition of the Philly Shipyard in 2024, Hanwha's Geoje plant has become a high-priority stop for visiting U.S. Navy leadership and congressional delegations exploring strategic shipbuilding partnerships with Seoul.
U.S. defense officials have reportedly taken a close look at the new Ulsan-class Batch-III frigates, to which the Pyeongtaek and Chungnam frigates belong. Hanwha is building two of the six vessels in the program.
"We are paying close attention to where their interest in the Chungnam frigates ultimately stems from," said Kim Kyu-baeg, vice president of Hanwha's naval ship business management.
"We have been communicating through various channels to understand their specific (operational) needs, and we see plenty of room to deliver solutions tailored to them."
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