According to the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency, a commissioning ceremony for the Kang Kon was held at the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday, with its leader Kim Jong-un in attendance along with his daughter Ju-ae.
The newly-commissioned destroyer is part of a nuclear response system capable of launching "an annihilating retaliatory strike," KCNA quoted Kim as saying, although it did not specify whether the vessel would carry nuclear weapons.
"We must establish more clearly a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent, to put into practice the diverse and effective operation of our nuclear combat systems and further strengthen our military activities for maritime defense and war deterrence," Kim said.
He added that that the mere announcement of the vessel's commissioning would "send a clear signal to the enemies, and their anxieties will only deepen."
The Kang Kon is the second destroyer after the Choe Hyon, which was commissioned into the West Sea in June, as Pyongyang steps up efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities.
The vessel suffered an accident during its initial launch attempt in May last year, when its hull tilted, but was later restored and underwent a series of tests including the test-firing of strategic cruise missiles and other weapons in the East Sea in July.
North Korea has criticized such joint drills as a rehearsal for war.
Vowing to strengthen the country's "naval forces," Kim said he would once again demonstrate its ongoing "important plans" to the world "in about eight months," without providing details, prompting speculation that the plans could be related to North Korea's development of a nuclear-powered submarine.
AJP Takeaways
- North Korea has put its new 5,000-ton Kang Kon destroyer into service, expanding its naval presence in the East Sea as Pyongyang pushes to strengthen its maritime forces.
- Kim Jong-un described the destroyer as part of North Korea's nuclear response system, while calling for the navy to become a nuclear-armed force. It remains unclear whether the vessel itself will carry nuclear weapons.
- Kim hinted at further naval developments within about eight months, without giving details, prompting speculation that North Korea could reveal progress on a nuclear-powered submarine.
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