Kim Jong-Un Unveils New 5,000-Tonne Nuclear-Capable Warship a Year After Launch Mishap

KIM Jong-Un has flaunted his 5,000-tonne Kang Kyon destroyer, capable of carrying nuclear-armed strategic cruise missiles.

A year passed since its launch cradle prematurely – an “unforgivable criminal act,” as blasted by ‘s leader – that left its bottom were crushed.

The sea trials of the Kang Kyon, a destroyer of North Korean navy Credit: AFP The North Korean leader and his daughter Kim Ju Ae observing the sea trials Credit: AFP

Determined to save face, the dictator boarded the vessel as it underwent capability tests.

He was joined by his increasingly prominent teenage daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, who may be being groomed as his successor, South Korean officials claim.

While inspecting the Choe Hyon, Kim said the navy was at the heart of a new five-year defence plan including the building of larger 10,000-tonne-class destroyers and developing unspecified “underwater secret weapons”.

During the visit, he called for “rapidly developing” naval forces capable of dealing a deadly blow at the enemy at any moment under the water or on the water, KCNA said.

It is the first time North Korea has mentioned such a plan, said Hong Min, a senior ​analyst ⁠at South Korea‘s Institute for ‌National Unification.

The report came a day after North Korean and Chinese media said that would visit North Korea on Monday.

It is the latest sign of ongoing efforts to reinforce ties with its nuclear-armed neighbour.

Hong warned that Kim may be seeking to show off the country’s military capabilities ahead of the rare state visit – the first one in seven years from .

Kim’s teenage daughter is speculated to have been tipped as his successor Credit: AFP The warship suffered great damage in May 2025 Credit: AFP

The Chinese leader is looking to bring North Korea – as its only official treaty ally – back into the fold amid its close relations with .

It comes weeks after Xi received and in – two countries that loom large over China’s foreign policy.

Before the visit was even unveiled, Kim inspected a new plant that makes weapons-grade nuclear material on Wednesday.

He announced plans to “beef up nuclear forces at an exponential rate” – a statement that has likely raised some eyebrows at the White House.

North Korea already has enough nuclear material for up to 90 warheads and is believed to have assembled around 50, according to a Congressional Research Service report from March.

The International Atomic Agency reported that the state has at the very least two active nuclear enrichment plants, one in Yongbyon and another in Kangson.

The agency said it was monitoring the construction of a new building at Yongbyon “which has dimensions and infrastructure, including supply and cooling capacity, similar to the Kangson enrichment facility.”

“The ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at Kangson and Yongbyon is of serious concern,” the IAEA revealed in a March report.

“The agency is continuing to monitor a new building at Yongbyon which has dimensions and infrastructure, including power supply and cooling capacity, similar to the Kangson enrichment facility.

“The new building is externally complete and internal fitting is likely underway.”