North Korea has ordered that the newly built destroyer Kang Kon be commissioned within the next two months, even though the ship’s trials have only just begun. The decision comes shortly after the recent commissioning of the destroyer Choe Hyon, whose launch was delayed by more than two months due to a launch mishap. The new ship’s sea trials are also set to start well beyond the two‑month window, indicating a strong urgency from the navy’s leadership.
The navy appears eager to field a new destroyer in both its eastern and western fleets, each side expected to operate a new class of warship. Discussions about constructing new naval bases—including a new headquarters for the North Korean navy—have resurfaced.
Both ships of this class were built in less than two years, with the first hull taking only 400 days. Despite the rapid construction, the navy is still refining the second hull after the launch incident. Two additional hulls are under construction, and the program is expected to continue for several more years. The pace of development for these 5,000‑7,000 ton vessels contrasts sharply with the slower, multi‑year production of 1,500 ton ships in our own navy, which often resulted in incomplete deliveries.