North Korea's Kang Kon Fires 12 Strategic Missiles as Repaired 5,000-Ton Warship Nears Commissioning
Updated
Updated · The War Zone · Jul 6
North Korea's Kang Kon Fires 12 Strategic Missiles as Repaired 5,000-Ton Warship Nears Commissioning
3 articles · Updated · The War Zone · Jul 6
Summary
12 strategic cruise missiles were launched from North Korea’s Kang Kon during a weapons demonstration that also included 5-inch main-gun fire, 30mm CIWS bursts and electronic-warfare and sensor tests.
State media said the 5,000-ton ship, damaged in a failed launch attempt last year, is now due to enter service within two months; official video showed it sailing under its own power.
Images from the event highlighted an unusual broadside-style layout of at least 12 KPV 14.5mm machine guns on one side, alongside defensive launchers and multiple close-in weapon systems.
Kang Kon is the second Choi-Hyun-class ship and carries 74 vertical-launch cells, some apparently large enough for ballistic missiles, though analysts still question the class’s survivability and combat value.
Is North Korea's Russian-backed naval expansion making traditional maritime deterrence obsolete?
How is a sanctions-crippled nation funding a naval buildup that rivals a superpower's production rate?
North Korea’s Kang Kon Destroyer: Accelerated Commissioning, Nuclear Ambitions, and Northeast Asia’s Security Dilemma
Overview
North Korea’s 5,000-ton Kang Kon destroyer, unveiled in May 2025 after the Choe Hyon destroyer, is being rushed into service under Kim Jong Un’s directive to quickly build a maritime nuclear deterrence. Despite technical uncertainties, a failed initial launch, and international skepticism about its combat effectiveness, Pyongyang is pushing forward to strengthen its naval power. This move reflects North Korea’s determination to overcome geopolitical isolation and signals a strategic shift that raises regional security concerns, as the Kang Kon’s deployment could complicate allied defense planning and increase instability in Northeast Asia.