North Korea: Kim launches the new destroyer Kang Kon

North Korea has commissioned the new 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon, thereby strengthening its naval capabilities on the eastern front. This was reported by Yonhap, citing the North Korean state media. The ceremony took place yesterday in the eastern port of Wonsan in the presence of leader Kim Jong-un, who described the vessel as ‘essentially an offensive destroyer’ and part of the ‘state’s nuclear response system’.

The new-generation destroyer ‘is expected to deliver a lethal retaliatory strike against enemies’, said the president Kim Jong-un, according to the official KCNA news agency, adding that North Korea must develop its navy as a ‘nuclear-armed force’.

The Kang Kon, which had already been launched in June 2025 following an initial failed attempt, had carried out tests of strategic cruise missiles and other weapons in July. The ship will be assigned to the East Sea Fleet. It is the second North Korean 5,000-tonne destroyer to enter service, following the Choe Hyon, which was commissioned in June and is destined for the West Sea Fleet.

Meanwhile, a few hundred kilometres away, South Korea, the United States and Japan today began the joint military exercise Freedom Edge, scheduled to last five days in international waters to the east and south of the South Korean island of Jeju. This is the fourth edition of the exercise, which began in June 2024, and takes place regularly despite the recent scaling back of bilateral manoeuvres between Seoul and Washington. This is also reported by Yonhap.

“Freedom Edge is being conducted to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats,” said South Korean Rear Admiral Kim Ji-hoon, emphasising the exercise’s role in strengthening deterrence and trilateral cooperation. The manoeuvres involve various domains, including maritime, air and cyber, with a particular focus this year on cyber defence and medical training.