North Korea commissions second destroyer as Kim pushes for nuclear-armed navy

North Korea has commissioned its second 5,000-tonne destroyer, the Kang Kon, and leader Kim Jong Un said the navy must become a nuclear-armed force capable of delivering retaliatory strikes. The Kang Kon and the Choe Hyon, commissioned in June, are described as the country’s most advanced warships and reportedly carry nuclear-capable missiles, though the vessels’ capabilities cannot be independently verified. Kim framed the naval buildup as a response to the perceived threat from U.S., South Korean and Japanese warships and joint exercises, while vowing to strengthen maritime defense and nuclear deterrence. The announcement coincided with the five-day Freedom Edge exercise near South Korea’s Jeju Island, which Seoul, Washington and Tokyo describe as defensive. The developments come despite U.S. efforts to scale back a separate South Korea-U.S. drill and reopen diplomacy with Pyongyang, suggesting North Korea is using military pressure to seek greater concessions.