North Korea Commissions 5,000-Tonne Choe Hyon Destroyer as Kim Signals Nuclear Navy
Updated
Updated · Jane's · Jul 1
North Korea Commissions 5,000-Tonne Choe Hyon Destroyer as Kim Signals Nuclear Navy
3 articles · Updated · Jane's · Jul 1
Summary
North Korea formally inducted the Choe Hyon on June 23, making its 5,000-tonne guided-missile destroyer the country’s largest surface combatant and a concrete step beyond a coastal-defense fleet.
Kim Jong-un used the ceremony to say naval nuclear armament is progressing as planned, with the service expected to operate where rival forces deploy and conduct pre-emptive missions.
The ship moved quickly from its April 2025 launch to operational testing, including March 2026 ripple launches of cruise missiles from its vertical launch system that analysts assess can fire nuclear-capable Hwasal-2 weapons.
Kim said North Korea still lacks modern bases for large warships, but ordered faster output of major combatants, reiterated a target of two Choe Hyon-class ships a year, and said a second vessel, Kang Kon, will be commissioned soon.
That buildup could complicate US, Japanese and South Korean maritime planning by adding salvo-capable missile threats and supporting North Korean operations farther from home waters.