U.S. Secretary of the Navy visits HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to tour the construction site of the world's most powerful Aegis destroyer

• Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, welcomed Secretary John Phelan and discussed cooperation on Korea-US shipbuilding
• Boarded the advanced Aegis destroyer 'Jeongjo the Great' built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and visited the construction site of the No. 2 Aegis destroyer, 'Dasan Jeong Yak-yong', confirming shipbuilding capabilities of the global industry leader

SEOUL, South Korea, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- During his visit to South Korea, John Phelan, Secretary of the US Navy, visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to observe operations and capabilities of a global industry leader in shipbuilding and discussed potential cooperation between South Korea and the U.S.

The newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan headquarters on Wednesday, April 30, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shared.

Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, the parent company of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, welcomed John Phelan in person and introduced the company's world-class shipbuilding technologies. They also exchanged opinions on areas of cooperation between Korea and the United States.

After touring the shipyard for commercial ships, John Phelan visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Naval & Special shipyard where state-of-the-art naval warships, including the world's most advanced Aegis destroyers, are built.

Phelan boarded Jeongjo the Great – built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy last November – where the Captain introduced him to the outstanding performance and advanced operational capabilities of the world's most advanced Aegis destroyer.

Secretary Phelan then looked around other major ships, including the No. 2 Aegis destroyer, 'Dasan Jeong Yak-yong' which is scheduled to be launched later this year.

After the visit Secretary Phelan remarked, "Leveraging the expertise of these highly capable shipyards enables timely maintenance and repairs for our vessels to operate at peak performance."

Executive Vice Chairman Chung added, "The United States and South Korea share a friendship by blood and are the best of allies. With our advanced technologies and shipbuilding capabilities, we will support the country's effort to revitalize the shipbuilding industry."

Earlier this month, the Trump administration signed an executive order to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry and expressed its willingness to cooperate with allies.

Meanwhile, HD Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding with Huntington Ingalls, the largest U.S. defense shipyard, earlier this month with the goal to improve shipbuilding productivity and cooperate on advanced shipbuilding technologies. In addition, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' executives, including Joo Wonho, Head of the Naval & Special Ship business, visited Huntington Ingalls on April 22 to further discuss cooperation between the two parties.

SOURCE HD Hyundai