North Korea has announced plans to build a 10,000-tonne destroyer and develop a secret submarine weapon. This statement came on the eve of the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will visit the country for the first time in seven years. DPRK leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the need to strengthen the naval forces to deter a nuclear war.
- North Korea announced the construction of a 10,000-tonne destroyer.
- Kim Jong-un has ordered the development of underwater weapons and military capabilities.
- Xi Jinping's visit will be the first to the DPRK in seven years.
- The Kang Kon destroyer and the 5,000-tonne Choe are to be deployed.
- The previous 5,000-tonne destroyer was damaged during the launch in 2025.
North Korea's plans to build a destroyer
North Korea has announced its intention to build a 10,000-tonne destroyer. This became known from the state-run Rodong Sinmun, which published a report on naval tests under its own control Kim Jong-un. The leader ordered the deployment of the destroyer Kang Kon and another 5,000-tonne ship Choe.
North Korea's Naval Strategy
Kim Jong-un stressed the need to strengthen the country's naval capabilities to deter a nuclear war. He also called for the development of powerful military capabilities on land, sea and air. Development underwater weapons remains a priority, underscoring Pyongyang's desire for large-scale modernisation of its armed forces.
Context of Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea
The visit of the Chinese president Xi Jinping, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday will be the first in almost seven years. It is aimed at restoring and strengthening official allied relations between Beijing and Pyongyang, China's only formal treaty ally. The preparations for the visit are accompanied by a demonstration of the DPRK's military power.
The history of destroyers in North Korea
In May 2025, a 5,000-tonne destroyer partially capsized during a launching ceremony in the port of Cheongjin. Kim Jong-un condemned the incident as a «criminal act» that cannot be tolerated. After being repaired in the port of Rajin, the ship was launched for the second time and named Kang Kon.
Analytics and impact on the region
South Korean expert Gong Ming noted that the construction of a large destroyer is a new stage in the development of the North Korean Navy. This may indicate an intention to demonstrate military power before Xi Jinping's visit and strengthen the DPRK's position in the region. Increasing military capabilities against the backdrop of diplomatic contacts with China should increase Pyongyang's strategic weight.
