North Korea Repairs & Relaunches Destroyer For Second Time, Plans 2 More Warships

North Korea has claimed it successfully repaired and relaunched a 5,000-ton destroyer that had suffered damage during a failed launch last month.

The vessel, named Kang Kon, is the second Choe Hyon-class destroyer built by the country this year and was relaunched during a ceremony at the northeastern port of Rajin on June 12, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally attended the event and praised the shipbuilding teams for their efforts to helping modernise the navy, despite facing many challenges. He described the destroyer as a crucial part of strengthening the country’s naval force and expanding its military’s operational range.

The destroyer had previously run into trouble during its initial launch attempt in May, with North Korean state media later revealing that the ship had suffered a “serious accident” and had ended up foundering in shallow waters.

Following the incident, Kim criticised the failure and blamed it on “criminal negligence.” Four officials, including the vice director of the Workers’ Party’s munitions industry department, were detained in connection with the failed launch.

Kim said the restored Kang Kon destroyer would be ready for naval operations by mid-2026. He also revealed that the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea has approved plans to build two more destroyers of the same class next year.

According to KCNA, Kim repeated earlier claims that North Korea’s naval expansion is a necessary and defensive response to increasing military pressure from the United States and its allies in Asia. He accused them of heightening the risk of nuclear conflict through joint military drills and deployment of strategic assets in the region.

During the ceremony, Kim issued a warning to what he called enemy forces, saying they would soon realise how “provocative and unpleasant” it is to witness foreign warships near North Korea’s waters. He added that North Korea would respond with “overwhelming military action” if provoked.

Video Credits: NewsFlash 24/YouTube

The quick repair and relaunch of the damaged vessel surprised many observers. Analysts pointed out that the exact extent of the damage sustained in the May mishap was never disclosed, and questions remain over whether the destroyer has been fully restored.

A report by the 38 North program at the Stimson Center says North Korea can make quick military progress when it focuses its resources and manpower. While many foreign experts doubt the strength of North Korea’s navy, its fast recovery and relaunch of the warship Kang Kon has caught attention.

North Korea’s navy has mostly used smaller ships for coastal defense. But the new Choe Hyon-class destroyers, which have guided missiles and air defense systems, show a move toward greater firepower in both the Yellow Sea and the eastern waters near Japan.

Experts say these destroyers are fitted with the Russian Pantsir-M air defense system, suggesting growing military ties between North Korea and Russia, according to the Beyond Parallel project.

While these ships are still not as advanced as those used by South Korea or the U.S., analysts at 38 North say North Korea’s fast shipbuilding shows it is improving and may soon be able to build more modern warships.

References: Bloomberg, CNN

Source: Maritime Shipping News