North Korea deploys warship ‘capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes’

What the report says

North Korea has formally commissioned a new destroyer, the Kang Kon, at Wonsan Port on the country’s east coast, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting based on the state-run Korean Central News Agency. Leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony on Sunday, accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and described the vessel as part of Pyongyang’s response to what it sees as ongoing external threats.

In remarks reported by KCNA, Kim said the ship would help North Korea strengthen its naval power and defend its interests at sea and underwater. The article says he framed the warship as part of the country’s nuclear deterrent posture, though KCNA did not detail exactly which weapons systems are on board. It said the destroyer carries the same systems as the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-tonne warship launched in June, which analysts have said could include missiles with nuclear capability.

The commissioning comes after a troubled launch history for the Kang Kon. According to the report, the vessel first partially capsized during an earlier commissioning attempt in May 2025, then was repaired and relaunched, with additional repairs and sea trials completed before July weapons testing.

The development fits into a broader North Korean effort to modernize its navy and expand nuclear-capable forces, which Pyongyang presents as a deterrent against the United States and South Korea. Al Jazeera noted that North Korea has also spoken about building new naval bases and additional warships as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula.