North Korea Unveils New Nuclear-Deterrence Warship

North Korea has presented a new warship as part of its drive to establish nuclear deterrence at sea. Leader Kim Jong Un described the vessel as capable of supporting “devastating deterrent attacks,” while state media did not clarify whether the ship would be equipped with nuclear weapons.

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It is time to realize our sovereignty at sea and underwater.

The 5,000-ton destroyer, named Kang Kon, was introduced at a ceremony in the eastern port city of Wonsan. Kim said its deployment off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast sent a clear signal to Pyongyang’s opponents as North Korea modernizes its navy and expands its nuclear capabilities.

“It is time to realize our sovereignty at sea and underwater,” Kim said, according to KCNA, which Reuters cited. He also said North Korea’s maritime nuclear arsenal was advancing and that the country would continue developing what it calls its most powerful strategic assets in key waters to protect maritime sovereignty and regional security.

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A public declaration that the destroyers will be used as platforms for nuclear deterrence at sea.

Kang Kon is the second warship commissioned by Pyongyang after the Choe Hyon, which was deployed off North Korea’s west coast. Lim Eul-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies linked to South Korea’s Kyungnam University, described Kim’s remarks as “a public declaration that the destroyers will be used as platforms for nuclear deterrence at sea.” Lim said placing Kang Kon east of the peninsula was intended to deter naval operations by the United States, South Korea and Japan. The three countries began annual military exercises in international waters southeast and south of Jeju Island, scheduled to continue through Friday.

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The deployment of Kang Kon at sea, east of the peninsula, is intended to deter the naval operations of the United States, South Korea and Japan near the peninsula.