North Korea Commissions Nuclear-Capable Warship That Previously Capsized During Launch

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the commissioning ceremony of the destroyer Kang Kon on September 6, 2026, marking a remarkable recovery for a vessel that capsized during its initial launch in May 2025.

Kim described Sunday’s commissioning of the destroyer Kang Kon as a testament to the country’s self-respect and strong will. He emphasized that the nuclear-capable warship sends a strong message of deterrence to North Korea’s enemies, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

This represents a major turnaround from the incident last year when a malfunction in the launch mechanism caused the stern of the Kang Kon to slide prematurely into the water, crushing parts of the hull and leaving the bow stranded.

The Kang Kon is the second vessel in the Choe Hyon-class of destroyers, displacing about 5,000 tons as North Korea’s largest-ever warships. The lead ship was commissioned in June.

During Sunday's event, Kim was accompanied by his daughter, who is thought to be named Ju Ae. State media images showed her posing with her father and the ship’s crew following a tour of the vessel.