Latest news with #ChoeHyon
South China Morning Post
14-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Is North Korea's Kim shoring up navy in strategic bid with allies China, Russia?
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to build a blue-water navy to counter what he described as growing threats from the United States , an ambition that observers say appears to be linked to broader strategic coordination with key Pyongyang allies China and Russia Advertisement Kim made the announcement during a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Rajin for a newly repaired warship, following an earlier failed launch at the same location, state media reported on Friday. The vessel, 'Kang Kon', is the second 5,000-ton multi-mission destroyer North Korea has launched this year, following the Choe Hyon, unveiled in April. It is named after the leader of anti-Japanese guerillas who fought alongside Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea. In his speech, Kim called for strengthening North Korea's maritime military presence in the Pacific Ocean, citing 'provocations' by the US and its allies, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim declared that as North Korea's naval power expanded its territorial seas into the open ocean, the country's enemies would inevitably retreat. 'The proud status of our heroic and battle-ready Navy will not only be demonstrated in our coastal waters but across the vast oceans of the world,' he said. A performance is held to commemorate the launch of the North Korean destroyer 'Kang Kon'. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP Kim insisted the naval build-up was a 'justified response' to perceived threats from Washington and Seoul, which have intensified joint military exercises and deterrence strategies due to North Korea's advancing nuclear programme, and warned of 'overwhelming military action' in response.
The Star
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Rapid show of rising naval power
A North Korean naval destroyer damaged in a botched launch last month was successfully set afloat on a second attempt, with leader Kim Jong-un presiding, state media said. A ceremony for the ship baptised the Kang Kon – after a top North Korean general killed in the 1950-53 war – was held on Thursday at the Rajin shipyard, up the coast from where the botched attempt occurred, according to Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency. 'Just over two weeks since the accident, the ship was safely raised and floated, and today, as planned, complete restoration has been finished,' Kim said, according to KCNA. Kim has also approved a plan to build two more destroyer-class vessels next year, the agency added. The decision 'heralds a significant and dramatic change in the status and defence activities of (our) Navy,' Kim said, according to KCNA. He claimed that the 'provocative intentions of the United States and its allies' have recently become 'more blatant, and the level of threats to our security has clearly gone far beyond the dangerous limit.' 'We must develop our naval power more comprehensively and rapidly so that the enemy cannot even think of carrying out aggressive actions in the waters around us,' the North Korean leader said. The successful launch comes after Pyongyang last month announced 'a serious accident' when workers first tried to put the 5,000-tonne destroyer into water in the north-eastern port city of Chongjin. The mishap crushed sections of the bottom of the newly built ship. Pyongyang later covered it with a tarpaulin, satellite images showed. South Korean intelligence believe North Korea's so-called 'side-launch attempt' of the ship failed, and the vessel was left listing in the water. Kim called the incident a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness' and state media subsequently reported the arrest of four officials in connection with the botched launch. But the country said soon afterwards that the extent of damage to the vessel was 'not serious', and that it would take 'two or three days' to drain it, and another 10 to restore the destroyer's side. The South Korean military estimated that, based on its size and scale, the new warship is similarly equipped to the 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel Choe Hyon, which North Korea unveiled in late April. Pyongyang has said the Choe Hyon is equipped with the 'most powerful weapons,' and that it would 'enter into operation early next year'. Some analysts said the ship could be equipped with short-range tactical missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads – although North Korea has not proven it has the ability to miniaturise its atomic arsenal. Seoul's military has said the Choe Hyon could have been developed with Russian help, possibly in exchange for Pyongyang deploying thousands of troops to help Moscow fight in Ukraine. North Korea confirmed in April for the first time that it had deployed troops to Russia to support Moscow in the Ukraine war. — AFP
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Kim Jong Un Doubles Down on Destroyers for North Korea's Navy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. North Korea has launched a 5,000-ton destroyer at the second try, state media reported on Friday, after the warship was damaged during an earlier botched attempt that had left it capsized in the water. During the launch ceremony the previous day, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to rapidly strengthen the country's navy by building two destroyers per year to deter aggression, with the third and fourth ships of the new Choe Hyon class planned for 2026. Newsweek has emailed the North Korea's embassy in China for further comment by email. Why It Matters In addition to its nuclear and missile capabilities, North Korea has begun modernizing its navy to counter the United States and its allies, marked by the launch of a missile-armed submarine in September 2023 and the unveiling of its first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, in late April. The accident that occurred during the launch of the second destroyer on May 21 was witnessed personally by Kim, who described the incident as a "criminal act." The damaged warship was seen being moved into a dry dock for repairs on Sunday, according to satellite imagery. What To Know North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said the destroyer Kang Kon—named after North Korea's first chief of the General Staff, killed during the Korean War—was successfully launched at a ceremony at the Rajin Shipyard on Thursday, with Kim once again in attendance. This photo provided by the North Korean government shows a destroyer named Kang Kon during its launch ceremony at the Rajin shipyard in North Korea on June 12, 2025. This photo provided by the North Korean government shows a destroyer named Kang Kon during its launch ceremony at the Rajin shipyard in North Korea on June 12, 2025. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP Photos released by KCNA show the destroyer—bearing hull number 52—docked in a dry dock filled with water. The shipyard, located on North Korea's northeastern coast near the Russian border, is reportedly capable of conducting "modest repairs and maintenance." During his speech at the ceremony, Kim said that his country's "new era of building a fleet" was making steady progress, adding that "huge warship-building plans" were advancing quickly with the aim of establishing a "world-level" naval force. The Kang Kon is equipped with "comprehensive combat capability" and will be "freely moving" in and out of the East Sea—the two Koreas' name for the Sea of Japan—and the Pacific Ocean, said Jo Chun Ryong, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. The event was held about three weeks after the destroyer had partially capsized during its initial launch, prompting the South Korean military to question the warship's operational status, the Yonhap news agency said on Friday. South Korea's navy is much larger than its North Korean counterpart, operating a fleet of 12 destroyers. The U.S. Navy has frequently deployed vessels to the Korean Peninsula, including aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines. In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, center, and his daughter, left, attend a launch ceremony of a destroyer named Kang Kon at the Rajin shipyard in North... In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, center, and his daughter, left, attend a launch ceremony of a destroyer named Kang Kon at the Rajin shipyard in North Korea on June 12, 2025. More Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP What People Are Saying North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un said on Thursday: "There was an absurd cause which impaired the dignity and prestige of the country in a moment due to the absolute irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism, but no obstacle could delay the important course of bolstering up the naval combat power." A South Korean military official told Yonhap on Friday: "On the outside, it appears that restoration has been completed, but the South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities will closely monitor whether the ship's parts are operational." What Happens Next It remains to be seen when the Kang Kon will conduct weapons tests following its launch. The Choe Hyon, the lead ship of North Korea's 5,000-ton class of destroyers, previously carried out missile and gun firing tests.
Int'l Business Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Kim Jong Un Unveils Repaired 'Kang Kon' After Botched May Launch, Blames 'Irresponsibility'
North Korea announced Friday that it has repaired and relaunched its second naval destroyer, Kang Kon, after a failed launch in May, according to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat. The Choe Hyon–class vessel capsized during its initial launch, prompting a high-profile response from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who condemned the incident as the result of "absolute irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism." At a ceremony held Thursday at the Rajin shipyard, Kim oversaw the relaunch and declared plans to build two new 5,000-ton destroyers by 2026. "North Korea will respond to external challenges with equal power and overwhelming military action," Kim stated, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. In response to the failed May 21 launch, North Korean authorities detained four officials, including the vice director of the Workers' Party's munitions industry department. Kim labeled the botched launch a "criminal act" that "immediately destroyed the honor and pride of the country." The newly repaired destroyer, designated as Destroyer No. 2, was formally reclassified as a Choe Hyon–class vessel and named Kang Kon by order of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party, according to China Daily. Jo Chun Ryong, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, credited warship-building workers for the vessel's launch and said it would serve as a core component of the country's sea defense and deterrence. "The new-type multi-mission destroyer is equipped with comprehensive combat capabilities, developed in our own way, to carry out retaliatory annihilation strikes against hostile forces," Jo said. Kim also met with the scientists, engineers, and workers involved in both the original construction and the recent restoration of the vessel. "No obstacle could delay the important course of bolstering our naval combat power," Kim declared during the ceremony. Before the relaunch, the capsized ship was salvaged and moved to Rajin port, near the Russian border, for repairs. However, external observers remain skeptical of the restoration process. Analysts questioned whether Kang Kon's engine, weapons, and electronics systems could have been fully restored after being submerged in seawater for nearly two weeks. "Considering the time they needed to raise the vessel, they would have had less than two weeks to carry out the actual repair work. Would that be enough to make the ship fully operational? I think that's highly unlikely," said Yang Uk, a defense analyst at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. Lee Illwoo, a military expert with the Korea Defense Network, added that key systems—such as the engine room, missile launchers, and anti-air defenses—were likely compromised due to flooding and sensitive electronics. Satellite imagery suggested that North Korea had attempted an unusual sideways launch technique, raising further questions about the ship's balance and seaworthiness. Some experts speculated that Russian specialists may have assisted with the repairs, and that both destroyers were built with Russian support. The Kang Kon belongs to the same class as North Korea's first destroyer, unveiled in April, which experts described as the country's largest warship to date. North Korea plans to deploy both destroyers next year—a move that analysts warn could significantly escalate regional tensions. Lee noted that South Korea's navy may not yet be equipped to counter such large enemy vessels. In a separate development, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung announced a halt to propaganda broadcasts along the border. North Korea has not officially responded.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Korea claims to launch repaired warship on second try
June 13 (UPI) -- North Korea successfully launched a 5,000-ton destroyer that was damaged during its first launch attempt last month, state-run media reported Friday, with leader Kim Jong Un in attendance and vowing to build two more warships next year. The launch ceremony was held Thursday at the Rajin Shipyard, the official Korean Central News Agency reported. Kim witnessed the destroyer's botched launch on May 21, and called it a "criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism which is out of the bounds of possibility and could not be tolerated." He demanded that the warship be restored by the start of a ruling party congress in late June and warned of serious consequences for those found responsible for the launch mishap. At least four officials have been arrested so far, including vice department director of the Munitions Industry Department Ri Hyong Son, according to state media. The capsized ship, named the Kang Kon, was raised at Chongjin Shipyard last week and moved to the Rajin site on the northeastern tip of the country for repair. In remarks delivered at the ceremony Thursday, Kim said that the failed launch "impaired the dignity and prestige of the country," but claimed that it had not impeded the country's naval modernization goals. "No obstacle could delay the important course of bolstering up the naval combat power," Kim said, according to KCNA. "We safely raised and floated the ship in just two weeks after the accident, and today, we have concluded the complete restoration as planned," he claimed. It is unclear whether the ship has been fully repaired or when it will be ready for use. "The vessel has yet to undergo critical phases before it can be deemed operational," the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report Thursday. "It will require considerable time to complete fitting out, manufacturer's trials and navy acceptance trials before being committed to operations." The Kang Kon was the second warship introduced by North Korea in recent months, following the launch of its 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer at the Nampo Shipyard on April 25. That vessel is armed with a wide range of weapons, including supersonic cruise missiles and strategic cruise missiles, according to North Korean reports. Photos released by the North showed that the Choe Hyon's missile and radar systems resemble those found on Russian vessels, prompting speculation that Pyongyang received technical assistance from Moscow in its development. North Korea has deployed troops, artillery and weapons to Russia to aid in Moscow's war against Ukraine, and is believed to be receiving much-needed financial support and advanced military technology for its own weapons programs. In his remarks at the launch ceremony, Kim said the North "will continue to commission two destroyers of the same class or higher into the navy every year." He cited growing threats from the United States and its allies as a primary reason for the country's warship construction plans. "Recently, the provocative intentions of the United States and its military forces have become more and more hostile, and the level of threats to our safety has clearly gone far beyond dangerous limits," Kim said. "Having ocean-going operational capability and exercising naval power in the ocean is an essential choice to protect national sovereignty and security interests."
