North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled the country’s newest 5,000‑ton‑class destroyer, declaring it will form a key component of Pyongyang’s state nuclear response system. According to state media KCNA, Kim said the vessel has the potential to deliver “annihilating retaliatory strikes”, though he did not specify whether it will carry nuclear weapons.
Kim made the announcement during a commissioning ceremony in the eastern port city of Wonsan, where he emphasised that the time had come for North Korea to “exercise sovereignty at sea and underwater.” The destroyer, named Kang Kon, is the second of its class to enter service, following the Choe Hyon destroyer commissioned three months earlier on the country’s west coast.
KCNA reported that North Korea is advancing naval nuclear armaments, with Kim signalling that the Kang Kon will be integrated into a broader nuclear‑capable force. The Choe Hyon‑class destroyers are believed to carry a range of weapons, including missiles capable of delivering nuclear payloads, though independent verification remains limited.
Kim also revealed plans to showcase another stage of naval buildup within eight months, alongside ongoing construction of new naval bases on North Korea’s east coast. Analysts say the developments reflect Pyongyang’s push to expand its nuclear delivery options beyond land‑based missiles and submarines, adding maritime strike capabilities to its arsenal.
The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with North Korea accelerating military modernisation and conducting frequent missile tests. Neighbouring countries and global security observers warn that the integration of nuclear‑capable destroyers could further destabilise the Indo‑Pacific security environment.