According to information published by the U.S. DoD on October 6, 2022, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan in response to the North Korean provocations.
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Republic of Korea Navy's destroyer Sejong the Great (Picture source: US DoD)
Following the North Korea (DPRK) ballistic missile launch over Japan, Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chancellorsville and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Benfold, part of the USS Ronald Reagan CSG, conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan, alongside Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers JS Chokai and JS Ashigara, and Republic of Korea Navy destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great.
This exercise enhances the interoperability of our collective forces and demonstrates the strength of the trilateral relationship with our Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) allies, which is forward-leaning, reflective of our shared values, and resolute against those who challenge regional stability.
Also this week, the United States conducted air exercises with our ROK and Japanese Allies, as well as a joint tactical missile live-fire exercise with the ROK.
About ROKS Sejong the Great
ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) is the lead ship of her class of guided missile destroyer built for the Republic of Korea Navy. She was the first Aegis-built destroyer of the service and was named after the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea, Sejong the Great.
The ship features the Aegis Combat System (Baseline 7 Phase 1) combined with AN/SPY-1D multi-function radar antennae.
The Sejong the Great class is the third phase of the South Korean navy's Korean Destroyer eXperimental (KDX) program, a substantial shipbuilding program, which is geared toward enhancing ROKN's ability to successfully defend the maritime areas around South Korea from various modes of threats as well as becoming a blue-water navy.
At 8,500 tons standard displacement and 11,000 tons full load, the KDX-III Sejong the Great destroyers are by far the largest destroyers in the South Korean Navy, and indeed are larger than most destroyers in the navies of other countries. and built slightly bulkier and heavier than Arleigh Burke-class destroyers or Atago-class destroyers to accommodate 32 more missiles.
As such, some analysts believe that this class of ships is more appropriately termed a class of cruisers rather than destroyers. KDX-III are currently the largest ships to carry the Aegis combat system.
