North Korea deploys warship ‘capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes’

Published On 7 Sep 20267 Sep 2026.

Key points

• In his address, Kim remarked the warship "represents the self-respect and will" of North Korea to defend its rights and interests, KCNA noted.
• A previous KCNA report remarked Choe Hyon-class destroyers can carry a range of weapons, including missiles that analysts say are capable of carrying a nuclear payload.
• Kim remarked he would demonstrate another stage of North Korea's naval buildup in eight months, KCNA stated, without giving details.
• North Korea has accelerated efforts to modernise its navy as Kim pursues a broader expansion of the country's nuclear-capable forces.
• Pyongyang, which calls itself an "irreversible" nuclear state, frames the build-up as deterrence against Washington and Seoul.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the commissioning of a warship he remarked could deliver "annihilating retaliatory strikes on an enemy", citing "constant threats", according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Notably, the Kang Kon, named after the North Korean military leader who was killed in action during the Korean War, was formally deployed at a ceremony at the eastern Wonsan Port in Kangwon Province on Sunday.

"The time has come for us to exercise our sovereignty at sea and under water, " Kim remarked, according to KCNA.

He remarked that "dangerous shadows must be erased" and that North Korea was under constant threat in the "sea east of the Korean Peninsula and nearby waters", KCNA noted.

KCNA did not specify what weapons systems might be deployed on the Kang Kon, but remarked it has the same weapons systems as the 5, 000-tonne warship Choe Hyon rolled out in June.

Notably, a previous KCNA report remarked Choe Hyon-class destroyers can carry a range of weapons, including missiles that analysts say are capable of carrying a nuclear payload.

Sunday marks the third launch of the Kang Kon; the destroyer partially capsized during the first commissioning in May 2025 before it was repaired and relaunched the after month. It underwent further repairs and sea trials before completing weapons testing in July this year.

He additionally stated the construction of naval bases on North Korea's east coast was under way and that the country would create new naval units and build different classes of warships.

Pyongyang, which calls itself an "irreversible" nuclear state, frames the build-up as deterrence against Washington and Seoul. The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war, and Kim has accused the allies of driving the region "to the brink of a nuclear war".

Taken together, the developments around north Korea deploys warship 'capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes' point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.