North Korea Deploys 5,000-Tonne Kang Kon as US, South Korea, Japan Start 5-Day Drills
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 7
North Korea Deploys 5,000-Tonne Kang Kon as US, South Korea, Japan Start 5-Day Drills
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 7
Summary
Wonsan Port hosted the formal deployment of the Kang Kon, with Kim Jong Un saying the warship could deliver “annihilating retaliatory strikes” against an enemy.
KCNA said the destroyer carries the same weapons systems as the 5,000-tonne Choe Hyon; analysts have said that class can field missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload.
The commissioning came a day before the United States, South Korea and Japan began five days of Freedom Edge exercises near Jeju Island, drills Seoul says are defensive and aimed at North Korean nuclear and missile threats.
The Kang Kon had partially capsized during its first commissioning in May 2025, was relaunched the next month, then completed repairs, sea trials and weapons testing in July.
Kim said another stage of North Korea’s naval buildup would be shown within eight months, part of a wider push for new bases, naval units and more nuclear-capable warships.