International · September 7, 2026

North Korea Commissions Second 5,000-Ton Destroyer as Regional Tensions Rise

Kim Jong Un attended the commissioning of the Kang Kon destroyer as the U.S., South Korea and Japan began a joint military exercise.

A new warship enters service

North Korea has commissioned a second 5,000-ton naval destroyer, named Kang Kon, as part of a broader effort to modernise its navy.

The commissioning came as the United States, South Korea and Japan began the Freedom Edge military exercise.

The ship could expand North Korea’s options for sea-based conventional and potentially nuclear-capable deterrence.