N Korea deploys warship ‘capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes’

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled a new warship named Kang Kon on Sunday, stating it could retaliate against enemies with "annihilating" force. The ship, named after a deceased military leader, was launched at a ceremony in Wonsan Port, Eastern Kangwon Province. Kim emphasized that the warship symbolizes North Korea's pride and determination to safeguard its rights and interests, asserting that the time has come to assert sovereignty at sea and underwater.

He vowed to eliminate perceived threats and stressed that North Korea faces constant danger in the Eastern Sea near the Korean Peninsula. While the specific weapons systems aboard the Kang Kon remain unspecified, it shares the same weaponry as the Choe Hyon-class destroyer, capable of carrying nuclear-capable missiles, according to KCNA.

The ship was commissioned a day before a series of five-day military drills by the US, South Korea, and Japan, which North Korea labeled a "reckless display of strength." This marks the third launch of the Kang Kon, following two previous incidents where the ship partially capsized during its initial commissioning in May 2025 and underwent repairs before completing sea trials in July. Kim hinted at further naval advancements in eight months, as reported by KCNA.