Kim Jong Un Doubles Down on Destroyers for North Korea’s Navy

North Korea has launched a 5,000-ton destroyer at the second try, state media reported on Friday, after the warship was damaged during an earlier botched attempt that had left it capsized in the water.

During the launch ceremony the previous day, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to rapidly strengthen the country’s navy by building two destroyers per year to deter aggression, with the third and fourth ships of the new Choe Hyon class planned for 2026.

Newsweek has emailed the North Korea’s embassy in China for further comment by email.

Why It Matters

In addition to its nuclear and missile capabilities, North Korea has begun modernizing its navy to counter the United States and its allies, marked by the launch of a missile-armed submarine in September 2023 and the unveiling of its first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, in late April.

The accident that occurred during the launch of the second destroyer on May 21 was witnessed personally by Kim, who described the incident as a “criminal act.” The damaged warship was seen being moved into a dry dock for repairs on Sunday, according to satellite imagery.

What To Know

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said the destroyer Kang Kon—named after North Korea’s first chief of the General Staff, killed during the Korean War—was successfully launched at a ceremony at the Rajin Shipyard on Thursday, with Kim once again in attendance.

Photos released by KCNA show the destroyer—bearing hull number 52—docked in a dry dock filled with water. The shipyard, located on North Korea’s northeastern coast near the Russian border, is reportedly capable of conducting “modest repairs and maintenance.”

During his speech at the ceremony, Kim said that his country’s “new era of building a fleet” was making steady progress, adding that “huge warship-building plans” were advancing quickly with the aim of establishing a “world-level” naval force.

The Kang Kon is equipped with “comprehensive combat capability” and will be “freely moving” in and out of the East Sea—the two Koreas’ name for the Sea of Japan—and the Pacific Ocean, said Jo Chun Ryong, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

The event was held about three weeks after the destroyer had partially capsized during its initial launch, prompting the South Korean military to question the warship’s operational status, the Yonhap news agency said on Friday.

South Korea’s navy is much larger than its North Korean counterpart, operating a fleet of 12 destroyers. The U.S. Navy has frequently deployed vessels to the Korean Peninsula, including aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines.

What People Are Saying

North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un said on Thursday: “There was an absurd cause which impaired the dignity and prestige of the country in a moment due to the absolute irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism, but no obstacle could delay the important course of bolstering up the naval combat power.”

A South Korean military official told Yonhap on Friday: “On the outside, it appears that restoration has been completed, but the South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities will closely monitor whether the ship’s parts are operational.”

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen when the Kang Kon will conduct weapons tests following its launch. The Choe Hyon, the lead ship of North Korea’s 5,000-ton class of destroyers, previously carried out missile and gun firing tests.