[Photo] South Korea launches its first domestically designed 3,000t submarine

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy's first 3,000t submarine on Sept. 14 in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. The KSS-III was designed and built entirely within Korea, making it the first of its kind. President Moon Jae-in attended the launch ceremony, and called the submarine “a leap forward” in the South Korea’s defense industry. Some observers, however, question the necessity of such a launch ceremony when inter-Korean tensions are a matter of delicate importance. (Blue House photo pool)