Kim Jong-un vows to build up naval forces in response to US-S. Korea-Japan drills

The North Korean leader’s remarks fueled speculation that Pyongyang may reveal a new weapon system in May

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae stand for a photo with naval officers at the commissioning of the Kang Kon in Wonsan on Sept. 7, 2026. (KCNA/Yonhap)

As the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon joins North Korea’s East Sea Fleet, leader Kim Jong-un proclaimed that the North has realized its program of equipping the navy with nuclear weapons to make it more suitable, diversified and practical for use in deterrence.The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Monday that Kim had attended the commissioning ceremony of the Kang Kon at the port of Wonsan on the previous day.In his speech, Kim described the new destroyer as a component of the North Korean state’s nuclear response system that will play a vital role in the defense of maritime sovereignty and nuclear war deterrence.The Kang Kon’s commissioning ceremony comes more than one year after an embarrassing incident in May 2025 when the destroyer capsized during launch.

North Korean state media released this photo of the commissioning of the Kang Kon in Wonsan on Sept. 7, 2026. (KCNA/Yonhap)

Kim said the fact that the Kang Kon is officially joining the East Sea Fleet and intelligence about naval bases being built on the east coast “send a clear signal to our enemies.”The North Korean leader is thought to be underlining his intentions to augment Pyongyang’s naval capabilities to counter Washington’s joint military exercises with Seoul, as well as those with Seoul and Tokyo.Kim also mentioned an “important plan for the buildup of the naval forces,” adding that “I will prove this to the world once again eight months later.”These remarks are fueling speculation that next May, Pyongyang may reveal a weapon system symbolic of the naval buildup, such as a nuclear-powered submarine or another new warship.“If North Korea carries out an accelerated campaign, it could become capable of significantly escalating tensions in response to ROK-US joint military exercises,” said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.By Park Min-hee, senior staff writerPlease direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]