According to North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper on June 7, leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a naval test on June 5, boarding the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon and observing another 5,000-ton warship, the Choe Hyon. The activity took place as he continued inspections of military facilities and weapons ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit on June 8-9.
During the inspection, Kim called for strengthening naval capabilities to prevent a nuclear attack, and demanded the construction of powerful military capabilities on land, sea, and air. He also ordered the construction of a 10,000-ton destroyer and the development of secret underwater weapons.
Notably, images released by North Korea's state news agency showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, believed to be the girl named Ju Ae, during the warship inspection.
Earlier, in May 2025, North Korea announced that a 5,000-ton destroyer partially capsized during a launching ceremony at Chongjin port. Kim, who presided over the ceremony, denounced the accident as an intolerable "criminal act." After repairs at Rajin port, a second launching ceremony was held the following month, and the vessel was named the Kang Kon.
Also this week, Kim called for the "exponential" expansion of the country's nuclear arsenal during a visit to a newly inaugurated nuclear materials production facility.
Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said this is the first time North Korea has mentioned plans to build a 10,000-ton destroyer. Hong assessed that Kim may want to showcase the country's capabilities ahead of President Xi's visit.
