North Korean leader Kim observes weapons tests from new naval destroyer
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- Kim Jong Un supervised Friday's test-firings of a strategic cruise missile, the Kang Kon's main gun and automatic cannons, plus trials of its electronic warfare and target-detection systems, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
- After watching from shore, Kim ordered officials to complete the Kang Kon's trials and place the vessel in active duty within two months.
- The Kang Kon was unveiled in May 2025 but damaged during a botched launch at the northern port of Chongjin; outside experts have questioned whether the repaired ship is genuinely ready for active duty.
- North Korea commissioned its first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, in late June, with Kim declaring the nuclear armament of his navy was proceeding as planned.
- South Korean officials and experts say both destroyers were likely built with Russian assistance amid deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
- Kim has called for building two new 5,000-ton warships annually over the next five years, plus a larger 10,000-ton destroyer, while also pushing for ICBMs capable of underwater launches and a nuclear-powered submarine.
- The Choe Hyon was first unveiled in April 2025 and is equipped with anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, per KCNA.
Why it matters: Kim's stated goal of two new 5,000-ton warships per year — backed by what South Korean officials say is Russian assistance — marks a rapid expansion of North Korea's surface fleet that analysts already doubt can operate effectively, while its nuclear-armed navy ambition directly threatens maritime neighbors and U.S. forces in the Pacific.
