North Korea relaunches a naval destroyer at Rajin Shipyard, June 12, 2025, in this image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised weapons tests on a 5,000-ton destroyer that capsized at its initial launch last year and ordered the warship commissioned within two months, according to state-run media.
North Korea’s navy tested the destroyer Kang Kon’s artillery, automatic machine guns and electronic warfare systems on Friday, the Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday.
The South Korean military on Sunday said it detected North Korea firing cruise missiles toward the East Sea, Yonhap News Agency reported that day, Seoul and Washington are analyzing the launch details, according to the report.
North Korea relaunched the warship in June 2025, following its failed ceremonial launch the previous month.
The flatcar carrying the warship failed to move, causing the vessel to capsize and sustain hull damage during its launch attempt May 21 at the Chongjin Shipyard on the country’s eastern coast.
The ship was relaunched three weeks later after extensive repairs.
Kim said Friday’s tests verified the destroyer’s combat capabilities and ordered officials to complete sea trials and commission the vessel, according to KCNA.
The tests demonstrated North Korea’s progress in developing its naval combat systems, Kim said, according to KCNA. He repeated his call to accelerate efforts to strengthen the country’s defense posture, the report states.
During a ruling Workers’ Party plenary meeting last month, the North Korean leader vowed to expand the country’s nuclear arsenal and accelerate the development of advanced weapons systems with the goal of “overtaking the world.”
On June 23, North Korea commissioned the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon into the navy after 14 months of operational testing, KCNA reported the following day.
Two days later, on the 76th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, Kim supervised tests of an upgraded rocket launcher and other weapons.
Those tests analyzed the combat characteristics of an upgraded 240 mm multiple rocket launcher system, a tactical ballistic missile warhead and a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.
