North Korea Commissions Second Choe Hyon-Class Guided-Missile Destroyer

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the North Korean Navy commissioned its second Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyer, Kang Kon, in the eastern port city of Wonsan, in the presence of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kang Kon (52) was commissioned approximately two months after the lead ship of the class, Choe Hyon (51), which was officially commissioned on June 23, 2026. Two additional vessels of the class are currently under construction. Displacing approximately 5,000 tons and measuring 145 meters in length, the Choe Hyon-class destroyers are by far the largest, most heavily armed, and most advanced warships ever operated by the North Korean navy. Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, attended the commissioning ceremony alongside senior government and military officials. Remarkably, Kang Kon had previously capsized during its launch at the Chongjin Shipyard on May 21, 2025, yet entered service a little more than a year later. My story for Naval News, here.