(Seoul=News1) Young-Kwang Moon, Heejin Jeong = North Korea has announced the commissioning of its second new 5,000-ton-class destroyer, the ‘Kang Kon’, and its deployment to the East Sea Fleet.
According to North Korea’s state-run Rodong Sinmun on Sept. 7, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a ceremony marking the commissioning of the ‘Kang Kon’ at Wonsan Port on the East Sea on Sept. 6.
The newly commissioned ‘Kang Kon’ is the same warship that ran aground during its initial launch ceremony in late May last year. At the time, during a launch ceremony attended by Kim, the vessel was being slid into the water after being built on land. However, its stern struck the ground, damaging the ship and causing a hole in its hull.
After witnessing the accident, Kim described it as a “serious criminal incident” and ordered those responsible to be punished.
The ship was subsequently repaired and relaunched before being commissioned into the East Sea Fleet. Speaking at the ceremony, Kim said, “The days when we had to watch enemy warships roam the fringes of our sovereign waters because of the limitations of our naval weaponry are over.”
The remarks are seen as being aimed at the trilateral Freedom Edge exercise involving South Korea, the United States and Japan, which began on Sept. 7.
Kim particularly emphasized North Korea’s naval nuclear capabilities, saying, “The nuclear armament of our navy has become a reality.”
He instructed the military to put into practical operation a diversified and effective nuclear combat system based on “a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent.”
Kim also announced that North Korea would demonstrate an important plan currently underway to strengthen its naval forces “in eight months.”
He did not elaborate on what the “important plan” entails, but some observers have raised the possibility that North Korea could unveil strategic assets such as a nuclear-powered submarine.
Images released by North Korean state media also showed Kim’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, and their daughter, Ju Ae, at the commissioning ceremony.
Ju Ae did not appear at the commissioning ceremony for the ‘Choe Hyon’ held on June 23. However, at this ceremony, she stood at the center of a commemorative photo taken on the deck of the ‘Kang Kon’ alongside Kim, highlighting her prominence within North Korea’s leadership.
#NorthKorea #NuclearWeapon #KangKon
According to North Korea’s state-run Rodong Sinmun on Sept. 7, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a ceremony marking the commissioning of the ‘Kang Kon’ at Wonsan Port on the East Sea on Sept. 6.
The newly commissioned ‘Kang Kon’ is the same warship that ran aground during its initial launch ceremony in late May last year. At the time, during a launch ceremony attended by Kim, the vessel was being slid into the water after being built on land. However, its stern struck the ground, damaging the ship and causing a hole in its hull.
After witnessing the accident, Kim described it as a “serious criminal incident” and ordered those responsible to be punished.
The ship was subsequently repaired and relaunched before being commissioned into the East Sea Fleet. Speaking at the ceremony, Kim said, “The days when we had to watch enemy warships roam the fringes of our sovereign waters because of the limitations of our naval weaponry are over.”
The remarks are seen as being aimed at the trilateral Freedom Edge exercise involving South Korea, the United States and Japan, which began on Sept. 7.
Kim particularly emphasized North Korea’s naval nuclear capabilities, saying, “The nuclear armament of our navy has become a reality.”
He instructed the military to put into practical operation a diversified and effective nuclear combat system based on “a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent.”
Kim also announced that North Korea would demonstrate an important plan currently underway to strengthen its naval forces “in eight months.”
He did not elaborate on what the “important plan” entails, but some observers have raised the possibility that North Korea could unveil strategic assets such as a nuclear-powered submarine.
Images released by North Korean state media also showed Kim’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, and their daughter, Ju Ae, at the commissioning ceremony.
Ju Ae did not appear at the commissioning ceremony for the ‘Choe Hyon’ held on June 23. However, at this ceremony, she stood at the center of a commemorative photo taken on the deck of the ‘Kang Kon’ alongside Kim, highlighting her prominence within North Korea’s leadership.
#NorthKorea #NuclearWeapon #KangKon