PYONGYANG — North Korea has officially commissioned its newest 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer, Kang Kon, during a ceremony at the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday, September 6.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony with his wife Ri Sol-ju, daughter Kim Ju Ae, and senior government and military officials. The Kang Kon, hull number 52, has been assigned to the Korean People’s Navy’s East Sea Fleet.
During his address, Kim described the destroyer as an offensive warship and part of North Korea’s nuclear counteraction system. He said the vessel would be responsible for defending the country’s maritime sovereignty and delivering retaliatory strikes against its enemies. Kim also said North Korea is implementing a major plan to strengthen its naval forces, with the next phase expected to be presented within eight months.
Second Choe Hyon-Class Destroyer
The Kang Kon is the second ship of the Choe Hyon class, following the Choe Hyon (51), which entered service on June 23, 2026, and was assigned to the West Sea Fleet. Two additional ships of the class are under construction.
The class represents North Korea’s largest and most heavily armed surface warships. Each vessel displaces about 5,000 tons and measures approximately 145 meters in length.
The Kang Kon was constructed at the Hambuk Shipyard in Chongjin. On May 21, 2025, it partially capsized during its initial launch attempt and suffered major hull damage. After recovery and repairs, it was successfully relaunched on June 12, 2025.
The ship later underwent navigation and weapons testing. In July 2026, Kim observed tests involving a strategic cruise missile, naval artillery, automatic guns and the ship’s electronic warfare systems. He subsequently ordered the trials to be completed and the vessel placed into active service within two months.
Missile and Defensive Systems
The Choe Hyon-class is equipped with a large vertical launch system (VLS) containing 88 cells, including 64 cells aft of the superstructure and 24 forward. The ships also feature eight inclined missile launchers and can carry different types of missiles, including weapons described by North Korean state media as nuclear-capable cruise missiles.
Other weapons include a 127mm automated naval gun, a short-range air-defense system resembling the Russian Pantsir-M, two six-barrel 30mm close-in weapon systems, twin 533mm torpedo tubes, decoy launchers and additional machine guns.
The destroyers are fitted with four fixed-panel phased-array radar panels, an electronic warfare suite and countermeasure systems. Their stated missions include anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and other operations.
Further Naval Expansion
The commissioning of the Kang Kon is part of North Korea’s broader effort to expand its naval forces beyond coastal defense. Kim has previously outlined plans for larger warships, including 10,000-ton guided-missile cruisers.
North Korea is also developing new naval bases along its eastern coastline to accommodate larger warships and support newly established naval units. Satellite imagery has confirmed that additional Choe Hyon-class vessels are under construction.
The Kang Kon’s entry into service gives North Korea a second destroyer of the class as Pyongyang continues its stated effort to expand and modernize its surface fleet for operations on both coasts.
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