Seoul, July 6:
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw weapons tests aboard the newly repaired 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon, including a nuclear-capable cruise missile, main guns, automatic cannons, and electronic warfare systems, according to state media. The tests were conducted on Friday and observed from shore, after which Kim ordered the vessel to complete trials and enter active service within two months. The ship had been damaged during a failed launch ceremony last year before being repaired and relaunched in June. The latest tests come amid North Korea’s accelerated push to expand its naval capabilities, including nuclear-armed warships and submarines. Kim has recently prioritised naval modernization as part of broader military goals, following the commissioning of another destroyer, the Choe Hyon. Analysts say North Korea’s warship program may be advancing with Russian support, though questions remain about operational effectiveness.