Kim Jong Un Observes Sea Trials of New 5,000-Ton Destroyer Kang Kon

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed sea trials of the newly built 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon on June 4. Photographs released by the Korean Central News Agency showed him aboard the vessel during capability tests at an undisclosed location, accompanied by his daughter.

Kim stated that the navy must be developed into a force capable of delivering a “deadly blow to the enemy at any moment, whether underwater or on the water surface,” according to the state media outlet.

He described the navy as a core element of the new five-year defense plan adopted at a ruling party congress earlier this year. That plan calls for the construction of larger 10,000-ton-class destroyers as well as the development of unspecified underwater weapons. The Kang Kon is the second 5,000-ton destroyer unveiled last year; the first vessel is named Choe Hyon.

State media said both ships are equipped to carry anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons along with ballistic and cruise missiles. Kim has previously described the Choe Hyon as a major step in expanding the operational range of North Korea’s military. The destroyer was damaged during its initial launching ceremony in May of last year at the northeastern port of Chongjin.

Kim called the failure “criminal,” and North Korea reported that the ship was repaired and relaunched in June. He has directed the construction of two additional 5,000-ton-class destroyers. The sea trials took place one day after North Korea revealed what South Korea’s military assessed to be a new uranium-enrichment facility.

During that visit, Kim stated that the country’s nuclear forces would be expanded at an “exponential rate,” according to state media. North Korean and Chinese state media have confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on June 8. In recent years, Kim has prioritized relations with Russia.