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Editorial: North Korea’s New Destroyer Raises Security Risks in the East Sea

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources New plan
  • North Korea commissioned the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon for its East Sea fleet after a ceremony in Wonsan on Sept. 6.
  • Kim Jong Un said North Korea’s naval nuclear armament was being realized and criticized South Korean, U.S. and Japanese military drills in the East Sea.
  • The editorial warns that the region could become as dangerous as the West Sea and urges Seoul to keep pursuing dialogue with Pyongyang to reduce tensions.

North Korea’s second new 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer, the Kang Kon, has joined the Korean People’s Army’s East Sea fleet. The ship left port after a commissioning ceremony in Wonsan on Sept. 6, with Kim Jong Un saluting from the pier.

It absolutely can no longer be left unattended.

· Kim Jong UnHe referred to what he described as overt military hostilities by opponents in the East Sea and nearby waters.

Kim said military exercises conducted by South Korea, the United States and Japan in the East Sea could “absolutely no longer be left unattended.” He also stressed that North Korea’s naval nuclear armament, discussed since 2023, was already being put into practice. His remarks signal a determination to challenge the three countries’ maritime drills in the East Sea, whether held separately or together.

North Korea disclosed in March a plan to build two Choe Hyon-class destroyers every year for the next five years. The Kang Kon follows the deployment of the class’s first ship, the Choe Hyon, to the West Sea on June 23. The growing number of destroyers is not the only concern. The greater worry is the possibility that they could carry nuclear weapons. If that happens, South Korea, the United States and Japan would need to commit substantial military assets to monitor and respond to the ships continuously.

Our navy’s nuclear armament is being realized and is becoming more suitable, diversified and practical for the use of deterrence.

· Kim Jong UnHe described the progress of North Korea’s naval nuclear weapons capability.

Kim also said North Korea was carrying out “important plans” to strengthen its naval forces and would “prove it to the world again in eight months.” That suggests Pyongyang may unveil new strategic weapons, including a nuclear-powered submarine, around May next year. China and Russia have conducted strategic bomber flights over the East Sea since 2019 and naval drills there since 2021. The waters are increasingly becoming a zone of tension among South Korea, the United States and Japan on one side, and North Korea, China and Russia on the other. Even without immediate results, dialogue with North Korea should not be abandoned as a way to ease tensions.

We will prove it to the world again in eight months.

· Kim Jong UnHe referred to important plans under way to strengthen North Korea’s naval forces.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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