SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised tests of a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other weapons aboard the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon on July 3, 2026. Following the tests, Kim Jong Un ordered officials to complete the destroyer's trials and place the vessel in active duty within two months.

The event included test-firings of a strategic cruise missile, the Kang Kon’s main gun, and automatic cannons. Trials of the Kang Kon’s electronic warfare systems were also conducted, alongside assessments of its target-detection and information-processing capabilities. Kim Jong Un observed these tests from shore.

The Kang Kon had undergone repairs after sustaining damage during a failed launch ceremony the previous year. It was initially unveiled in May 2025 at the port of Chongjin, where it was damaged during a launch. North Korea stated the Kang Kon was relaunched in June 2025 after these repairs.

Separately, North Korea commissioned its first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, in late June 2026. The Choe Hyon was initially unveiled in April 2025. At its commissioning ceremony, Kim Jong Un declared that the nuclear armament of his navy was proceeding as planned. South Korean officials and experts indicated that the Choe Hyon was likely constructed with Russian assistance, and the Korean Central News Agency stated it is equipped with anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons, in addition to nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

Kim Jong Un outlined military goals at the Workers’ Party congress in February 2026. During this congress, he called for intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of underwater launches. He also called for the annual construction of two new 5,000-ton warships over the next five years, and for the development of a larger 10,000-ton destroyer.

Why It Matters

These developments indicate North Korea's continued focus on expanding its naval capabilities and integrating nuclear-capable weapons into its fleet. The tests of the Kang Kon, following the commissioning of the Choe Hyon, align with the military objectives Kim Jong Un outlined in February 2026, which included a call for increasing naval strength and developing advanced missile systems. The order for the Kang Kon to enter active duty within two months highlights an accelerated timeline for deploying these new assets, potentially altering naval dynamics in the region.