North Korean Destroyer Capsizes; Kim Vows Major Warship Buildup
On May 21, 2025, North Korea's new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer partially capsized during its launch at Chongjin shipyard in front of leader Kim Jong Un. Kim condemned the failure as a "criminal act," arrested officials, and ordered salvage. By June 2026, the ship was repaired and commissioned, a sister ship had test-fired cruise missiles, and Kim announced plans to build two such warships annually and 10,000-ton strategic cruisers, with suspected Russian technical support. The incident highlighted a gap between North Korea's blue-water naval ambitions and industrial capability.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
North Korea's Capsized Destroyer Kang Kon Enters Service After Rapid Repairs
North Korea's new destroyer, the Kang Kon, which partially capsized during its launch in 2025 due to a mechanism failure, has been repaired and is entering operational service roughly a year later. Kim Jong-un denounced the accident as a 'criminal act,' arrested officials, and ordered rapid repairs. The ship has since undergone integrated live-fire trials of missiles, main gun, electronic warfare systems, and a combat management suite. Kim has ordered a sustained naval buildup, including two 5,000-ton destroyers per year for five years and a planned 10,000-ton warship. The article also discusses North Korea's broader military modernization, its diplomatic engagements with the US under Trump, and its growing military cooperation with Russia during the Ukraine war, which has provided Pyongyang with advanced military technology. The rapid recovery of the destroyer program signals North Korea's increasing technical capacity and ambition to build a credible missile-armed surface fleet, worrying South Korea and its allies.
19FortyFiveNorth Korea's Kang Kon destroyer conducts weapons tests after botched launch
North Korea's new 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, which capsized during a botched launch in May 2025, has been repaired and is now conducting weapons tests. State media reported on Sunday that the vessel fired its main gun, autocannon, and vertically launched strategic cruise missiles, which are nuclear-capable. The tests, attended by leader Kim Jong Un, also included electronic warfare and target detection systems. The Kang Kon is the second Choe Hyon-class destroyer, following the Choe Hyon commissioned in late June. After the failed launch, Kim detained responsible workers and the ship was re-launched a month later. Kim has ordered the vessel prepared for active duty within two months and plans to build two more destroyers plus a 10,000-ton warship, part of his ambition to create a nuclear-capable navy.
All Content from Business InsiderNorth Korean leader Kim observes weapons tests from new naval destroyer
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised tests of a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other weapons aboard the new 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, which was damaged in a failed launch ceremony last year but has since been repaired. The tests, held on Friday July 3, 2026, included a strategic cruise missile launch, main gun and automatic cannon firings, and trials of electronic warfare systems. Kim observed from shore and ordered the vessel placed into active duty within two months. This follows the late June commissioning of North Korea's first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, which Kim celebrated as a milestone in his push to build a nuclear-armed Navy. South Korean officials and experts suspect the vessel was built with Russian assistance. Kim has also called for building two new 5,000-ton warships annually over the next five years and developing a larger 10,000-ton destroyer.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.North Korea Commissions First Guided-Missile Destroyer, Plans Cruiser
On June 23, 2026, North Korea formally commissioned its first guided-missile destroyer, the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon (hull number 51), at the Nampo shipyard. Leader Kim Jong Un presided over the ceremony, calling it a 'new chapter' in naval history. The ship, first revealed in December 2024, underwent 14 months of sea trials and system integration. It features 88 vertical launch system cells and up to 104 total missiles. North Korea also announced plans to build a new class of 10,000-ton cruisers, marking a major modernization of the Korean People's Navy surface fleet.
Naval NewsNorth Korea Commissions First Guided-Missile Destroyer, Plans Cruiser
On June 23, 2026, North Korea formally commissioned its first guided-missile destroyer, the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon (51), at Nampo shipyard. Leader Kim Jong Un presided over the ceremony, calling it a 'new chapter' for the navy. The destroyer is the first of four Choe Hyon-class ships and features 88 vertical launch system cells across five configurations, along with advanced phased-array radar and electronic warfare systems. After construction was completed in April 2025, the vessel underwent 14 months of sea trials and modifications. North Korea also announced plans to build a new class of 10,000-ton cruisers, signaling a major naval modernization effort. The destroyer will serve in the West Sea Fleet of the Korean People's Navy.
Naval NewsNorth Korea Commissions First Guided-Missile Destroyer, Plans Cruiser
On June 23, 2026, North Korea formally commissioned its largest-ever warship, the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer (pennant number 51), at the Nampo shipyard. Leader Kim Jong Un presided over the ceremony, calling it a 'new chapter' in military history. The vessel, first revealed in December 2024, underwent 14 months of sea trials and modifications, now featuring 88 vertical launch system cells and a total capacity of up to 104 missiles of various types. It is equipped with phased-array radar and an electronic warfare suite. North Korea also announced plans to build a new class of 10,000-ton cruisers. The destroyer will serve in the West Sea Fleet, marking a major modernization leap for the Korean People's Navy after decades of stagnation.
Naval NewsNorth Korea commissions first Choe Hyon-class destroyer as Kim signals naval nuclearisation
North Korea has commissioned its first Choe Hyon-class destroyer, marking a significant advance in its naval capabilities. The event was attended by leader Kim Jong Un, who used the occasion to signal plans for naval nuclearisation. The destroyer is believed to be equipped with advanced missile systems and represents a shift in North Korea's military strategy toward enhancing its blue-water navy. Analysts suggest this development could escalate regional tensions, particularly with South Korea and the United States, as Pyongyang continues to expand its military arsenal despite international sanctions. The Choe Hyon-class is named after a former North Korean defence minister, underscoring the regime's emphasis on military legacy.
"site:janes.com" - Google NewsNorth Korea Expands Navy with Russian Technology, Plans Nuclear-Armed Fleet
North Korea has commissioned a new 5,000-ton displacement destroyer into service, and leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to build at least two 'Choe Hyon' class ships or larger vessels annually. The newly commissioned vessel, assigned to the West Sea Fleet in the Yellow Sea, was initially intended for ballistic missiles but now carries cruise missiles. Analysis indicates the ship is equipped with a system resembling Russia's Pantsir-ME, suggesting technological support from Moscow. Pyongyang also plans to construct 10,000-ton strategic cruisers, though it currently lacks ports capable of hosting such ships—a situation Kim Jong Un called a 'happy worry,' prompting plans for new modern naval bases. Additionally, North Korea aims to equip its navy with nuclear warheads, with Kim stating the program is proceeding flawlessly. The modernization is justified by close South Korea-US military cooperation, and the growing North Korea-Russia partnership is highlighted: Moscow receives North Korean workers and soldiers for the Ukraine war, while Pyongyang gains Russian technology, as both face Western sanctions.
Defence24.comNorth Korea Commissions New Destroyer, Announces Annual Warship Production Goal
North Korea has commissioned a new 5,000-ton displacement destroyer into its West Sea Fleet, named the 'Choe Hyon' class. Originally intended for ballistic missiles, the vessel was equipped with cruise missiles and a system resembling Russia's Pantsir-ME, indicating technological cooperation with Moscow. Leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to construct at least two vessels of this class or larger annually, and revealed ambitions for 10,000-ton strategic cruisers, though current port infrastructure is insufficient—a 'happy worry' he says requires building modern naval bases. Pyongyang also intends to equip its navy with nuclear warheads, citing South Korea-US military cooperation as justification. The report notes growing North Korea-Russia cooperation, with Moscow receiving workers and soldiers while providing technology. Both nations face Western sanctions, making their partnership strategically logical.
Defence24.comNorth Korea Expands Fleet with Russian Technical Support, Announces Annual Shipbuilding
North Korea has commissioned a new 5,000-ton displacement destroyer into service, with the West Sea Fleet receiving the 'Choe Hyon' class vessel. According to Yonhap, the ship, initially intended for ballistic missiles, is now equipped with cruise missiles and features systems resembling the Russian Pantsir-ME, indicating Moscow's technological support. DPRK leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to build at least two 'Choe Hyon' class ships annually, and larger 10,000-ton strategic cruisers, despite lacking suitable ports. Pyongyang also intends to equip its navy with nuclear warheads, calling the program 'flawless.' The modernization is justified by South Korea-US military cooperation. The article highlights growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia, with Moscow receiving workers and soldiers (fighting in Ukraine) in exchange for military technology, as both face Western sanctions.
Defence24.comKim Jong Un orders construction of two warships per year for next five years
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced at a commissioning ceremony for the new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon that the country should build two warships of similar size every year for the next five years. Speaking at Nampho port on June 23, 2026, Kim acknowledged the navy had been the weakest branch of North Korea's military but said its capabilities would become 'something incredible beyond imagination.' He also announced plans to deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer named Kang Kon, which partially capsized during a launch ceremony last year but has since been repaired, along with 10,000-ton strategic warships. Kim stated that building modernized naval bases is a 'desperate and essential task' and that the navy's nuclearisation is advancing, contributing to the country's nuclear deterrence. The announcement came during a meeting of the Workers' Party Central Committee.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.North Korea Capsized Its New Destroyer on Live TV Before Kim Jong Un: Now It's Building Warships Twice the Size
On May 21, 2025, North Korea's second Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer partially capsized during its launch ceremony at Chongjin shipyard, with Kim Jong Un in attendance. Kim called the failure a 'criminal act,' had officials arrested, and ordered salvage. One year later, the wreck has been righted, repaired, and relaunched. Its sister ship has test-fired cruise missiles, a third hull is under construction, and Pyongyang has announced plans for warships twice the size. The article analyzes the incident as a symptom of ambition outpacing shipbuilding capability, noting the 5,000-ton destroyer class represents a major leap for North Korea's navy toward a blue-water, nuclear-armed force, but the industrial base and launch methods proved inadequate. Suspected Russian technical assistance is mentioned, but overall naval capability remains unproven.
19FortyFiveNorth Korea Capsized Its New Destroyer on Live TV Before Kim Jong Un: Now It's Building Warships Twice the Size
On May 21, 2025, a new North Korean Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer partially capsized during its launch ceremony at Chongjin shipyard, watched by Kim Jong Un. The leader publicly condemned the failure, had officials arrested, and ordered salvage. A year later, the wreck has been righted and repaired, its sister ship Kang Kon has test-fired cruise missiles, a third hull is under construction, and Pyongyang has announced plans for warships twice the size. The incident exposed a significant gap between North Korea's naval ambitions and its shipbuilding capabilities, with suspected Russian technical assistance. The 5,000-ton destroyer class represents a major leap from the country's aging coastal patrol fleet toward a blue-water, nuclear-armed navy, though its actual combat capability remains unproven.
19FortyFiveNorth Korea Capsized Its New Destroyer on Live TV Before Kim Jong Un: Now It's Building Warships Twice the Size
On May 21, 2025, a new North Korean destroyer (Choe Hyon class, hull 52) partially capsized during its launch ceremony at Chongjin shipyard with Kim Jong Un present. He called it a 'criminal act', had four officials arrested, and ordered salvage. By June 2026, the ship has been righted and repaired, its sister ship (Choe Hyon, hull 51) has test-fired cruise missiles, a third hull is under construction, and Pyongyang has announced plans for warships twice the size. Analysts attribute the failure to a gap between naval ambition and shipbuilding capability, with suspected Russian technical help. The program aims to transition North Korea's navy from coastal defense to a blue-water, nuclear-armed force.
19FortyFive