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🇵🇱 Poland /Energy & Infrastructure

North Korea commissions new destroyer as Kim Jong Un promises nuclear navy

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

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

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • North Korea commissioned the 5,000-ton Kang Kon missile destroyer, which state media said can carry nuclear weapons and conduct deterrence missions in the Sea of Japan.
  • Kim Jong Un described the ship as part of a nuclear response system and threatened a deadly response to any armed attack.
  • Kim also promised further naval expansion, while South Korean analysts said the announcement could involve nuclear-powered submarines.

North Korea has put a new missile destroyer into service and presented it as a central piece of the country’s emerging nuclear naval force. At the commissioning ceremony in the port of Wonsan, Kim Jong Un called the 5,000-ton Kang Kon part of a “nuclear response system.”

The official Korean Central News Agency said the ship would carry out deterrence missions in the Sea of Japan. If conflict breaks out, it said, the vessel’s task would be to deliver a “devastating retaliatory strike” against the enemy. Addressing the crew, Kim declared, “If our enemies try to use armed force against us, I will order you to use absolute force that will be most lethal to the enemy.”

Kim said the nuclearization of the navy would allow North Korea to use and diversify its deterrent forces. He also promised to continue expanding the fleet. “We are carrying out an important plan to strengthen our naval forces. I will prove it to the world again in eight months,” he said, without giving details.

If our enemies try to use armed force against us, I will order you to use absolute force that will be most lethal to the enemy.

· Kim Jong UnHe addressed the Kang Kon crew at the destroyer's commissioning ceremony in Wonsan.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said the promise could refer to work on nuclear-powered submarines. Earlier this year, North Korea revealed plans to build two large warships within five years, including vessels displacing more than 10,000 tons. The Kang Kon is a sister ship of the Choe Hyon destroyer, which entered service three months earlier in the Yellow Sea.

Construction of the Kang Kon suffered a setback when the ship capsized during a launch attempt in May 2025, but it was repaired. Strategic cruise missiles were fired from its deck in July. The Wonsan ceremony took place on Sept. 6, ahead of North Korea’s 78th anniversary, as U.S., South Korean and Japanese forces began Freedom Edge exercises, which Pyongyang routinely condemns as war drills. State media also highlighted the presence of Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju Ae, whom South Korean intelligence considers his likely successor.

We are carrying out an important plan to strengthen our naval forces. I will prove it to the world again in eight months.

· Kim Jong UnHe promised further naval expansion without providing details.
About this summary

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. 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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