{
  "id": 6085505,
  "title": "North Korea’s Kim launches second nuclear destroyer as US-South Korea-Japan drills start",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/north-koreas-kim-launches-second-nuclear-destroyer-as-us-south-korea",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T02:03:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3366573/north-koreas-kim-launches-second-nuclear-destroyer-us-south-korea-japan-drills-start"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, commissioned a second naval destroyer and emphasized the need for a more reliable nuclear deterrent during a ceremony in Wonsan on Sunday. The new destroyer, the Kang Kon, and its predecessor, the Choe Hyon, are equipped with nuclear-capable missiles, making them the most advanced warships in North Korea's naval fleet. Kim stated that the rapid commissioning of these destroyers instills fear in the enemies and allows North Korea to exercise its nuclear deterrent in a more diversified and effective manner. The KCNA did not specify the exact weapons systems to be deployed on the Kang Kon, but noted that it shares similar systems with the Choe Hyon-class destroyers, which are capable of carrying nuclear payloads. Kim also mentioned that North Korea will demonstrate further progress in its naval build-up within eight months, including the construction of naval bases on the east coast and the creation of new naval units. Meanwhile, the US, South Korea, and Japan initiated a five-day military exercise called Freedom Edge off the southern coast of South Korea, which Kim views as a security threat. South Korea's military has described the exercise as defensive in nature and aimed at responding to North Korea's nuclear threats. North Korea's Foreign Ministry criticized the US for expressing a confrontational posture against the North, citing the Freedom Edge exercise and reported US comments that the US remains committed to North Korea's complete denuclearization. The US and South Korean militaries had previously shortened their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise by six days due to President Donald Trump's decision to reduce its scale, citing a good relationship with Kim. However, Kim's sister and senior official, Kim Yo-jong, dismissed the reduced drill as insufficient to alter its \"provocative, aggressive nature.\" North Korea had previously launched around 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea, likely responding to the US-South Korean exercise. Throughout his diplomatic outreach, Kim has indicated that he might re-enter talks with the US if it drops its hostile policy and respects North Korea's status as a nuclear state.",
  "summary": "North Korean leader Kim Jong-un commissioned his second naval destroyer and called for building a more reliable nuclear deterrent, state media reported on Monday, as the US, South Korea and Japan began a trilateral military exercise he views as a security threat. The development comes as North Korea dials up pressure on the US after rebuffing President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "North Korea’s Kim says new destroyer will be part of nuclear response system",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/north-koreas-kim-says-new-destroyer-will-be-part-of-nuclear-response",
        "published": "2026-09-06T22:32:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "N. Korea commissions nuclear-capable naval destroyer Kang Kon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/n-korea-commissions-nuclear-capable-naval-destroyer-kang-kon-6062724",
        "published": "2026-09-06T23:29:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says new destroyer will be part of nuclear response system",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-says-new-destroyer-will-be-part-of-nuclear",
        "published": "2026-09-06T23:46:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "N. Korea commissions nuclear-capable naval destroyer Kang Kon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/n-korea-commissions-nuclear-capable-naval-destroyer-kang-kon",
        "published": "2026-09-06T23:47:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "North Korea commissions 2nd naval destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan begin a military drill",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/north-korea-commissions-2nd-naval-destroyer-as-us-south-korea-and",
        "published": "2026-09-07T00:44:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "North Korea commissions 2nd naval destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan begin a military drill",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/north-korea-commissions-2nd-naval-destroyer-as-us-south-korea-and-6077315",
        "published": "2026-09-07T00:44:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily NK",
        "title": "North Korea threatens asset seizure in crackdown on fuel smuggling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/north-korea-threatens-asset-seizure-in-crackdown-on-fuel-smuggling",
        "published": "2026-09-07T00:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "North Korea commissions 2nd naval destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan begin a military drill",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/north-korea-commissions-2nd-naval-destroyer-as-us-south-korea-and-6082190",
        "published": "2026-09-07T01:21:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "North Korea vows nuclear-armed navy as US ally drills open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/north-korea-vows-nuclear-armed-navy-as-us-ally-drills-open-6094915",
        "published": "2026-09-07T03:06:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "North Korea vows nuclear-armed navy as US ally drills open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/north-korea-vows-nuclear-armed-navy-as-us-ally-drills-open",
        "published": "2026-09-07T03:17:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}