North's ramped-up construction of third destroyer suggests bid to build nuclear-armed navy, lawmaker says

North Korea appears to be accelerating construction of its third 5,000-ton destroyer, a sign that state leader Kim Jong-un’s push to build a navy with an independent nuclear strike capability is beginning to take shape in earnest.

2026-04-02

North's leader hails 'multifaceted nuclear operation' with cruise missile test

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the country’s nuclear forces have entered a “phase of multifaceted operation” after overseeing a strategic cruise missile launch from a new destroyer, state media reported Wednesday.

2026-03-11

Navy anticipates new 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer delivery by 2027

The Navy seeks to receive its third 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer by the end of next year, the armed service said Friday, in a move expected to strengthen the military's air defense capabilities when deployed.

2026-02-13

Arms agency to pick shipbuilder for homegrown destroyer through selective bidding

The state arms procurement agency plans to introduce a selective bidding process to pick a shipbuilder for the country's first homegrown advanced destroyer, officials said Monday.

2025-12-22

North's Kim calls for increasing naval power to 'thoroughly' punish enemy

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the nation's first 5,000-ton destroyer, calling for bolstering his naval combat force to “thoroughly” deter and counter enemy provocations, state media reported Monday.

2025-10-06

North Korea to build third 5,000-ton destroyer by next October

North Korea announced plans to construct its third 5,000-ton-class warship of the Choe Hyon class by Oct. 10 next year, the founding day of the ruling Workers’ Party.

2025-07-22

Japan to export used destroyers to Philippines to deter China, Yomiuri reports

Japan will export used navy destroyers to the Philippines to strengthen its deterrence against China's maritime expansion, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday, as the two U.S. allies increase cooperation to counter Beijing.

2025-07-06

Defense industry eyes Ahn’s stance as Korea’s $6B warship program hangs in the balance

With Rep. Ahn Gyu-back of the Democratic Party named as President Lee Jae Myung’s first defense minister nominee, Korea’s defense industry is watching closely for clues on the future of a major next-generation warship program.

2025-07-01

Former North Korean commander dismissed over botched war ship launch back in media

Kim Myong-sik, the former commander of North Korea’s Navy who was reportedly dismissed following the disastrous launch of the Kang Kon destroyer, has unexpectedly reappeared in North Korean state media.

2025-06-30

North Korea relaunches capsized warship after botched ceremony

North Korea held a launch ceremony for a newly built 5,000-ton-class destroyer on Thursday at the Najin Shipyard, after completing repairs on the vessel that had previously capsized in front of leader Kim Jong-un during a botched ceremony last month.

2025-06-13

korea joongAng daily