North Korea deploys warship ‘capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes’

Live updates

1. 7d ago

   North Korea Deploys New Nuclear-Capable Warship

   North Korea commissioned its second Choe Hyon-class destroyer, named the Kang Kon, in the eastern port city of Wonsan. The 5,000-ton nuclear-capable warship features 88 vertical launch system cells and a total missile capacity of 104 weapons. Leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony with his teenage daughter, stating the vessel forms part of the countrys nuclear response system. The deployment follows a previous launch failure where the vessel capsized before finally joining the East Sea Fleet after structural repairs and live-fire trials.

   Why it matters

   The commissioning of the Kang Kon follows the service entry of its sister ship, the Choe Hyon, in June. This naval expansion coincides with joint military drills involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.

   What is confirmed

   • North Korea commissioned its second Choe Hyon-class destroyer, the Kang Kon, in the eastern port city of Wonsan.
   • The 5,000-ton warship is equipped with nuclear-capable missiles and features 88 vertical launch system cells with a 104 total missile capacity.
   • Leader Kim Jong Un stated that the new destroyer is part of the countrys nuclear response system.
   • The vessel previously capsized when it was launched before finally joining the fleet following structural repairs.

   What to watch next

   • Further military responses or statements from the United States, South Korea and Japan regarding the naval deployment.
   • Operational deployments of the Kang Kon and Choe Hyon in the East Sea.
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. Reuters — North Korea's Kim Jong Un says new destroyer part of nuclear response system
   2. CNN — Nuclear-capable warship that capsized when launched finally joins North Korea’s fleet
   3. Al Jazeera — North Korea deploys warship ‘capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes’
   4. Bloomberg.com — Kim Commissions Second Destroyer to Bolster Nuclear Naval Force
   5. Politico — North Korea commissions 2nd naval destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan begin a military drill
   6. The Daily Beast — Sitcom Legend, 95, Reveals Cause of Sudden Health Scare
   7. www.dailymail.com — Kim Jong Un unveils North Korea's new navy destroyer equipped with nuclear-capable missiles
   8. www.armyrecognition.com — North Korea commissions second nuclear-capable destroyer Kang Kon one year after launch failure.
   confidence 100%