North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observed the sea trials of the destroyer Kanggeon, a vessel of the Korean People’s Army Navy that has begun its operational evaluation process.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, the visit took place on June 4 and included an inspection aboard the ship, which is part of North Korea’s naval modernization efforts.
During the visit, Kim Jong-un reviewed various sections of the destroyer, including the main command post, combat service areas, and test plans related to the ship’s onboard weapons systems. The evaluation also included the phased verification schedule for the vessel’s equipment.
According to North Korean state media, the sea trial was intended to evaluate the ship’s maneuvering capabilities. Kim Jong-un reportedly praised the crew’s operational performance and expressed satisfaction with the vessel’s cruising and high-speed maneuvering systems, stating that the ship meets the required operational standards.
The inspection was attended by military officials and defense-sector leaders, including Cho Chun-ryong, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea; Kim Jong-sik, First Deputy Director of the Central Committee; Park Kwang-seop, Commander of the Navy; Park Jeong-chon, Adviser to the Ministry of National Defense; and Jang Chang-ha, Director of the General Missile Bureau.
During the visit, Kim Jong-un also addressed the development of the military shipbuilding industry and emphasized the need to improve North Korea’s naval command-and-control systems. According to KCNA, he stated that strengthening military capabilities on land, at sea, and in the air is a central component of the country’s national defense policy.
The North Korean leader also declared that expanding naval forces is a priority within the new five-year defense development policy. Among the objectives cited by state media are the construction of 10,000-ton-class destroyers, the development of underwater systems, and the modernization of naval capabilities.
Kim Jong-un also mentioned the destroyers Choehyeon and Kanggeon, expressing the expectation that both vessels will complete their evaluation processes and be commissioned into the North Korean Navy as soon as possible.
The development comes as Pyongyang continues efforts to expand its naval capabilities and integrate new systems into its fleet, with a focus on larger platforms and assets intended for strategic deterrence.
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Source and images: KCNA. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
