North Korea vows to build a nuclear-armed navy

Kim Jong Un has vowed to turn North Korea’s navy into a nuclear-armed force and said he will reveal an “important plan” to strengthen it in eight months.

He made the declaration at a commissioning ceremony for the Kang Kon, one of two 5,000-ton-class warships launched last year. His daughter, Ju Ae, was present at the ceremony. The statement came as US allies began maritime naval training involving Japan, South Korea and the United States. Officials established the drills in 2023 as part of efforts to deter Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear threat near South Korea’s Jeju Island.

Kim said North Korea should develop its navy so that its nuclear combat systems could operate effectively in an actual war. He also said the new-generation destroyer should be able to deliver a deadly retaliatory strike whenever ordered, as part of the state’s nuclear counteraction system.

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We should make sure that the diversified and effective operation of nuclear combat systems is conducted for an actual war through developing our navy into a nuclear armed force.

North Korea commissioned the Kang Kon in Wonsan as its second 5,000-ton destroyer linked to the country’s nuclear response system. Kim described the system as capable of “annihilating retaliatory strikes.”

Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University, said Kim’s announcement could signal the future unveiling of a submarine capable of carrying submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The promised plan is expected to be revealed in May 2027, eight months after the announcement.

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Once ordered anytime, the new-generation destroyer should deal a deadly retaliatory blow at the enemies as it is a force involved in the state nuclear counteraction system.