North Korea’s Kim observes naval destroyer cruise missile launch, weapons tests: State media
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- Kim Jong Un observed the July 3 test firing of a strategic cruise missile and evaluations of anti-ship, anti-submarine, and air defence systems aboard the destroyer Kang Kon, with KCNA reporting the event on July 5.
- Kim Jong Un ordered officials to complete Kang Kon trials and commission the vessel into naval service within two months, calling for expanded war deterrence and combat capabilities.
- The Kang Kon is the same 5,000-ton class as the Choe Hyon, which North Korea commissioned in late June; the Kang Kon was repaired after partially capsizing during its launch ceremony last year.
- North Korea plans to build two warships of this class annually over the next five years and has outlined construction of larger 10,000-ton warships as part of its naval modernization.
- The July 3 trials tested target-detection, information-processing, integrated firepower, naval guns, automatic cannons, and electronic warfare equipment, per KCNA.
Why it matters: Kim's two-month commissioning deadline for the Kang Kon — already preceded into service by its sister ship Choe Hyon — accelerates a naval build-up Kim himself has called necessary because the navy is the "weakest branch" of his armed forces, with ten more warships of the class planned plus larger 10,000-ton successors.
