Kim Jong Un Accelerates Deployment of New North Korean Destroyer with Strategic Cruise Missiles

North Korea has accelerated efforts to modernize its naval deterrence capabilities, with leader Kim Jong Un overseeing tests of the latest weapons systems on Sunday.

The trials focused on the main armaments of the new destroyer Kang Gun Ho, including a strategic cruise missile, naval artillery, and electronic warfare equipment, before Kim ordered the ship to enter service within two months.

This development follows an evaluation of the combat readiness of the new destroyer and comes less than two weeks after the destroyer Choi Hyun Ho was commissioned as part of Pyongyang’s plan to strengthen its naval fleet.

The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong Un supervised tests of the primary weapons systems installed on the 5,000-ton Kang Gun Ho destroyer, which had previously experienced a grounding incident during its launching ceremony.

The agency detailed that the tests, conducted on July 3, included firing a strategic cruise missile, naval artillery trials, machine gun fire, electronic warfare systems, and other key weapons as part of an assessment of the destroyer’s combat system performance.

The purpose of the tests was to review and verify the combat readiness of the ship’s various weapons systems, including evaluating target detection capabilities, information processing, and testing the integrated fire control system prior to live firing of naval guns and the strategic cruise missile.

North Korean central television broadcast footage showing launches from the main gun mounted at the bow of the vessel numbered “52,” alongside automatic machine guns on its sides, as well as images of more than ten missiles launching sequentially amid white smoke clouds.

According to a Yonhap report, the missiles fired are believed to belong to the Hwasal series of cruise missiles. North Korea appears to be aiming to deploy these on new destroyers such as Choi Hyun Ho and Kang Gun Ho as a means of maritime nuclear threat.

Images released by North Korean media showed the missiles painted blue, sparking speculation that they may have low-observable camouflage coatings.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that on July 3, the military detected cruise missiles and other projectiles launched from the destroyer toward the East Sea, noting that South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are conducting detailed analysis of their characteristics.

Destroyer’s Defensive Capabilities and Weapon Systems

North Korea also demonstrated the destroyer’s close-in defense capabilities.

Shin Jong Woo, Secretary General of the Korean Defense and Security Forum, explained that the ship is equipped with the older Russian AK-630 CIWS close-in weapon system, upgraded with a fire control radar, along with numerous 14.5 mm machine guns installed along its sides.

He added that North Korea seems to be compensating for the destroyer’s weak self-defense by installing a large number of defensive machine guns on both sides, reminiscent of vessels used during World War II.

Kim Jong Un’s Remarks and Strategic Directives

Observing the tests from the coast, Kim Jong Un stated that recent trends in weapons system development inspire confidence in the potential to advance Korea’s naval combat system, offering significant capabilities to transform the military’s readiness for strategic operations.

He outlined phased tasks to develop naval and underwater combat systems and deploy them in military operational areas.

Kim emphasized the need to persistently maintain a reliable war deterrence capability and combat readiness while continuously expanding them.

He affirmed the intention to demonstrate more clearly and through actions the political will and determination to possess absolute military power.

Kim recalled decisions made during the second plenary meeting of the ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party regarding constructing naval bases centered on the fleet and expanding shipyard capacities.

He confirmed that the state will take national measures to strengthen the navy, which holds a vital role in protecting maritime sovereignty and exercising deterrence power.

Plans for Commissioning and Future Naval Developments

Following the tests, Kim instructed that all trials be completed and the Kang Gun Ho destroyer be commissioned within no more than two months. He also called for an important meeting to discuss shipbuilding industry development.

Yonhap experts speculate that this timeline is linked to preparations for the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean regime in early September.

Hong Min, a researcher at the Korean Institute for Unification, told the South Korean agency that the most probable scenario is holding the commissioning ceremony to coincide with the 78th anniversary of the state’s founding.

He added that if this coincides with plans to launch a third destroyer equipped with a larger number of vertical launch cells for supersonic cruise missiles, North Korea is likely to organize a series of events during September and October to highlight its defense achievements.

The Kang Gun Ho destroyer had encountered an accident during its launching ceremony in May last year, when it tilted while being lowered into the water, resulting in its grounding.

Despite the ship being salvaged and a new launching ceremony held only 22 days later, doubts remained regarding its safety and operational efficiency.

If the destroyer enters service within the next two months as ordered by Kim, it would mean its operational deployment approximately one year after the grounding incident.

On June 23, North Korea commissioned the Choi Hyun Ho destroyer of the same class at Nampo port and announced its deployment within the West Sea fleet.

Shin Jong Woo noted that North Korea is accelerating the commissioning of Kang Gun Ho, the second ship of the same class, aiming to deploy maritime nuclear deterrence means early in the West Sea via Choi Hyun Ho and in the East Sea via Kang Gun Ho.

Yu Ji Hun, a researcher at the Korean Defense Analysis Institute, told Yonhap that these tests also aim to erase the negative image resulting from the launching accident and to demonstrate domestically and internationally that the destroyer is entering service normally.

He added that given military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, ongoing monitoring is necessary regarding the possibility of North Korean warships receiving external technical support.