North Korea showcases heavily armed Kang Kon warship with extensive machine-gun array

North Korea’s latest surface combatant, the Kang Kon, was demonstrated to leader Kim Jong Un on Friday, showing a full suite of weapons including a vertical launch system with 74 cells, a 5-inch main gun, a 30 mm close-in weapon system and at least twelve 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine guns mounted on the port side. The ship also launched 12 cruise missiles, which Pyongyang describes as “strategic” weapons, and conducted trials of its electronic-warfare and target-detection systems, according to state media reports cited by the Associated Press.

The Kang Kon is one of two Choi-Hyun-class vessels built so far, with two more reportedly under construction. While North Korean sources label the 5,000-ton ships as destroyers, their displacement aligns more closely with the frigate category used internationally. Satellite imagery captured a failed launch attempt last year that damaged the hull, but officials say repairs have been completed and the vessel is now capable of sailing under its own power.

Observers noted the unusually large number of KPV machine guns, including eight guns in four remotely-controlled twin mounts and several single mounts on the superstructure. The heavy machine guns, a Soviet-designed weapon still in service worldwide, are typically employed for short-range air defence and against small surface targets. Their presence reflects a broader trend of navies adding small-caliber armament to counter drones and unmanned boats.

Analysts caution that, despite the ship’s impressive armament, its combat survivability remains uncertain, especially given the limited number of such vessels in the North Korean fleet and the likelihood that they would be targeted early in any conflict. The official timeline aims for the Kang Kon to be formally commissioned by September.