North Korea commissions second guided-missile destroyer after capsizing incident
North Korea has formally commissioned the Kang Kon, its second Choe Hyon-class destroyer, despite the vessel capsizing during its 2025 launch, a setback the leader described as a “criminal act.”
North Korea officially commissioned the guided-missile destroyer Kang Kon on Sunday, marking the navy’s second vessel of the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon class. The ship, which capsized during its initial launch in May 2025 after a malfunction caused the stern to enter the water prematurely, has now been repaired and entered service, state media reported.
Kim Jong Un praised the commissioning as evidence of the country’s “self-respect, will and strong spirit,” saying the nuclear-capable warship would send a deterrent message to the nation’s adversaries. He described the event as a “historic event” for the navy’s capabilities.
The lead ship of the class entered service in June, with Kim previously claiming it ended “over 70 years of stagnation” in the navy. He has called for shipyards to produce two new surface vessels each year, including larger cruisers, and has asserted that a nuclear-powered attack submarine comparable in size to U.S. Navy subs is under construction.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Kim’s daughter, identified by experts as Ju Ae, who posed with the crew after touring the vessel. New naval bases are also being built on the east coast to accommodate the expanding fleet.