North Korea commissions 2nd naval destroyer

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, inaugurated the second naval destroyer and advocated for a more dependable nuclear deterrent, according to state media on Monday. This comes as the United States, South Korea, and Japan commenced a joint military exercise, which North Korea perceives as a security threat.

The newly commissioned destroyer, named Kang Kon, was unveiled in the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by Kim and his teenage daughter, who South Korea's intelligence service identifies as his probable successor. Pictures released by North Korean state media depict the young girl clad in a white dress and blazer, walking beside her father on a red carpet, touring the warship, and posing with sailors.

Both the Kang Kon and its predecessor, the Choe Hyon, which was commissioned in June, are 5,000-tonne destroyers armed with nuclear-capable missiles, rendering them North Korea's most advanced warships. At the ceremony, Kim stated that the back-to-back commissionings of the destroyers would instill fear in their adversaries. He emphasized that the nuclear armament of North Korea's navy would enable the country to exercise its nuclear deterrent in a more diverse and practical manner.

Kim reiterated the need to establish a more powerful and reliable nuclear weapons capability and to implement diverse and effective operations of nuclear combat systems to strengthen maritime defense and war deterrence.

On Monday, the US, South Korea, and Japan were scheduled to launch their five-day Freedom Edge exercise in the waters off South Korea's southern Jeju Island. South Korea's military affirmed that the drill is defensive in nature and intended to counter North Korea's nuclear threats.

Last week, North Korea's Foreign Ministry criticized the US for clearly expressing its confrontational stance against the North. The ministry cited the Freedom Edge exercise and reported comments by US officials indicating that the US remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

On August 21, the US and South Korean militaries concluded their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise six days earlier than planned, following Trump's order to significantly reduce the drill. Trump cited a good relationship with Kim, who views the drill as a rehearsal for invasion. However, Kim's sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, dismissed Trump's gestures, stating that shortening the drill would not alter its provocative and aggressive nature.

North Korea launched approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, seemingly in response to the US-South Korean drill. Kim Jong Un has previously indicated that he might resume negotiations with the US if it ends its hostile policy towards North Korea and recognizes North Korea as a nuclear state. However, previous diplomacy between Kim and Trump collapsed in 2019 due to disagreements on the economic benefits North Korea should receive for limited denuclearization steps.

Now, with his expanding nuclear program and strengthened ties with Russia and China, experts believe Kim Jong Un holds greater leverage than before.