At present, its two closest neighbors (China and Japan) are in the process of developing full aircraft carrier capability for their respective navies.

In late 2020, design and acquisition work on the CVX class was sped up in the hope of countering naval expansions in South Korea's neighbors.

This move is expected to bring forward the aircraft carrier's future in-service date by one year, and will require a hastened procurement process for the F-35B fighter jets that the warship will carry.

[2] On the occasion of the MADEX trade fair in South Korea in June 2021, the Italian Fincantieri signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for assistance in the design of the CVX.

While it is included in the Mid-term Defense Blueprint covering the period 2024-2028 that was released in December 2023, this document notes that it will be subject to the results of further research.

[3] The Republic of Korea government has stated that the sensor and weapons fit for the CVX will be developed domestically and the ship will feature a multi-function radar (MFR) for ballistic missile defence (BMD).