(Yonhap Feature) Inside S. Korea's new submarine: a rare look into naval power, global push

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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 photo shows the 3,600-ton Seo Hui attack submarine, provided by Hanwha Ocean Co. on Sept. 15, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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.

The 3,600-ton Seo Hui submarine is docked at Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in this photo provided by the company on Sept. 15, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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.

The 3,600-ton Pyeongtaek frigate is docked at Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in this photo provided by the company on Sept. 15, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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."

elly@yna.co.kr (END)

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(Yonhap Feature) Inside S. Korea's new submarine: a rare look into naval power, global push

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

韩国巨济，9月20日（韩联社）——从上层舱口沿着陡峭的垂直钢梯往下走，是一条狭长的走廊，里面没有丝毫的走动空间，弥漫着刺鼻的油漆味。

继续前进意味着要跨过齐膝高的圆形隔板，弯腰钻过弯曲的钢架，穿过狭窄到两个成年人必须胸贴胸才能勉强通过的空间。墙壁和天花板上密密麻麻地布满了裸露的电线束和错综复杂的管道。

这艘长 89 米、排水量 3600 吨的徐熙号攻击型潜艇的每一平方厘米，都是韩国海军实力的最新证明，近年来，韩国舰队的进步和不断扩大的全球防御影响力也印证了这一点。

“徐熙”号是韩国雄心勃勃的“张保皋-III”型第二批次潜艇计划中的第二艘潜艇，周二在位于首尔东南330公里巨济岛的韩华海洋公司占地490万平方米的庞大造船厂内向媒体亮相。

“徐熙”号将于 11 月下水，在朝鲜不断扩充其海军舰队（包括最近服役的新型 5000 吨级驱逐舰“康坤”号和“崔贤”号）之际，它代表了韩国海军威慑力量的巅峰。

这张照片拍摄于2026年9月15日，展示了由韩华海洋公司提供的3600吨级“徐熙”号攻击型潜艇。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

这座水下堡垒配备了垂直发射管，能够发射潜射弹道导弹（SLBM），依靠升级的传感套件，也就是它的“眼睛和耳朵”，集成到先进的作战管理系统中。

“垂直发射系统通过打开顶部舱门和襟翼来发射潜射弹道导弹。鱼雷发射管总共可容纳20枚鱼雷，”韩华海洋潜艇部门官员金学洙表示。

金指出，这套集成作战系统显著提高了目标探测和实时数据处理能力，以及精确打击能力。

沿着另一组狭窄的楼梯往下走，就到了下层甲板，那里是船员的住所，里面有卧铺、盥洗室、厨房和餐厅。

令来访记者们大吃一惊的是，金指出，这艘潜艇的生活区明显比早期的岛山安昌浩级潜艇的生活区宽敞得多。

“我们有足够的空间，大部分船员终于可以拥有自己的铺位了，”他补充道。

真正让徐辉号潜艇与其他潜艇区别开来的，是它的混合动力推进系统，该系统将不依赖空气推进（AIP）燃料电池系统与高容量锂离子电池相结合。

据韩华公司称，这种世界首创的配置赋予了该船前所未有的水下续航能力，使其能够在水下停留的时间比目前运营的任何其他柴油动力船舶都要长。

2026年9月15日，韩华海洋公司提供的照片显示，3600吨级的“徐熙”号潜艇停泊在位于首尔东南约330公里巨济岛的韩华海洋造船厂。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

在隔壁的船坞里停泊着排水量为 3600 吨的平泽号护卫舰，这是蔚山级第三批次计划的第五艘舰艇。

“平泽”号以海军第二舰队所在地平泽市命名，长130米，宽15米，上个月下水后目前正在进行系统测试。

该护卫舰配备了强大的火力，包括一门 5 英寸主炮和用于反导弹和反舰防御的垂直导弹发射管，以及远程反潜鱼雷。

该护卫舰也计划于 11 月下水，并于 2027 年底按计划交付海军。

2026年9月15日，韩华海洋造船厂提供的照片显示，排水量3600吨的“平泽”号护卫舰停泊在位于首尔东南约330公里巨济岛的造船厂内。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

在造船厂的另一边，造船厂的两座主要生产车间正在紧锣密鼓地建造第三艘张保皋-III型潜艇。直径7米的圆柱形船体段静静地立在巨大的钢架上，等待着组装在一起。

“一旦七个模块全部完成，它们将被焊接成一个整体船体，”海军舰艇生产计划组总经理薛在鹤说。

韩华海洋（原大宇造船海洋工程公司）自 2023 年 5 月更名为韩华海洋以来，一直处于韩国海军防御的前沿。

在国内，该造船厂通过获得建造下一代 KDDX 驱逐舰的设计和建造合同，巩固了其地位。

除了国内水域，韩华正在积极拓展其全球业务。尽管最终未能成功，但该公司今年早些时候曾是价值数十亿美元的加拿大巡逻潜艇项目的有力竞争者，与欧洲老牌竞争对手展开了激烈角逐。

韩华集团正凭借其先进的造船优势，全力支持华盛顿振兴海军工业基础的计划。

韩华于 2024 年收购了费城造船厂，此后，其巨济工厂成为美国海军领导层和国会代表团访问首尔、探讨与首尔建立战略造船伙伴关系的重要一站。

据报道，美国国防官员已仔细考察了新型蔚山级第三批次护卫舰，平泽号和忠南号护卫舰均属于该系列。韩华造船厂正在建造该项目六艘舰艇中的两艘。

“我们正在密切关注他们对忠南护卫舰的兴趣最终源于何处，”韩华船舶业务管理副总裁金奎白表示。

“我们一直在通过各种渠道与他们沟通，以了解他们的具体（运营）需求，我们看到了很大的空间来提供为他们量身定制的解决方案。”

elly@yna.co.kr（完）

海军将新型潜艇命名为“徐熙”号；新型护卫舰命名为“平泽”号

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（第二轮辩论）赵承熙和卢比奥同意共同努力，争取在有关美国投资项目的谈判中取得“良好”成果。

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