North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says new destroyer will be part of nuclear response system
Kim said the 5,000-ton destroyer will help diversify North Korea’s nuclear deterrent as state media withheld details on whether it carries nuclear weapons.
- On Sunday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissioned a new destroyer in Wonsan, vowing to develop his navy into a nuclear-armed force as the United States, South Korea, and Japan began their five-day Freedom Edge exercise.
- Established in 2023, the trilateral Freedom Edge exercise runs through Friday in waters off Jeju Island to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. South Korea's military describes the maneuvers as defensive in nature.
- The 5,000-tonne destroyers Kang Kon and Choe Hyon are equipped with nuclear-capable missiles, making them North Korea's most advanced warships. Kim reportedly told the ceremony, "We should make sure that the diversified and effective operation of nuclear combat systems is conducted for an actual war."
- Despite President Donald Trump ordering the Pentagon to 'substantially reduce' the recent Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, North Korea has shown little sign of reciprocating his diplomatic overtures. The regime continues condemning the drills and firing short-range missiles.
- Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an 'irreversible' nuclear state since a 2019 summit with Trump in Hanoi collapsed over denuclearization scope. North Korea maintains it could return to talks only if the United States drops its 'hostile policy' and respects its nuclear status.
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159 Articles
North Korea has two warships: the "Choe Hyon" destroyer and the "Kang Kon" destroyer.
North Korea has put into service the 5000-ton destroyer Kang Kon. Commander Kim Jong Un assigns the warship to a nuclear retaliation system.
Leader Kim Jong Un promised to turn North Korea's navy into a nuclear-capable force, state media reported Monday, coinciding with the beginning of U.S. allies' maritime exercises.
NORTH Korea has commissioned its second modern guided-missile destroyer, an incredible recovery for a ship that capsized during its launch in May 2025.
North Korea has enriched its war fleet and nuclear response system with a new "offensive" destroyer, according to the announcement made months ago by the KCNA press agency, which coincides with the start of the five-day "Freedom Edge," carried out by the US, South Korea and Japan in international waters south and east of South Korea's Jeju Island, designed to counter North Korean nuclear threats, transmits EFE.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Eun said that his country was continuing to build a nuclear-capable naval force in a step that coincided with the launching of new military manoeuvres with the participation of United States allies, a nuclear-armed force. The exercises conducted this week with the participation of Japan, South Korea and the United States were launched in 2023 with a view to deterring the missile and nuclear threats posed by Pyongyang.
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