The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will begin construction of a third 5,000-ton destroyer, targeting completion by October 2026, state media reported Tuesday. The announcement comes as Pyongyang steps up efforts to expand its naval power and deepen military cooperation with Russia.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), workers at Nampho Shipyard pledged during a Monday rally to finish the warship in time for the 81st anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on October 10, 2026. The shipyard’s manager urged workers to meet the deadline “to uphold the party’s plan for building a powerful army and defend maritime sovereignty.”
The move follows the launch of two previous destroyers of the same class—the Choe Hyon and the Kang Kon—earlier this year. The Choe Hyon, launched in April under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un, was heralded by state media as “a powerful warship of our own type.” However, its debut was marred by a major accident during a May unveiling ceremony in Chongjin, which severely damaged the ship. Kim reportedly condemned the incident as a “criminal act.” The vessel was later stabilized and underwent repairs in June.
Meanwhile, the Kang Kon faced its own troubled launch in May, failing to deploy successfully. It was subsequently repaired and relaunched the following month.
The ambitious shipbuilding program aligns with broader military and diplomatic developments between Pyongyang and Moscow. In June 2024, the two nations signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, encompassing political, economic, and security cooperation. The 23-article agreement has fueled speculation among South Korean defense officials and analysts that Russian assistance may be aiding the development of DPRK’s new warships—potentially in exchange for North Korean support in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Analysts also warn that the Choe Hyon-class destroyers may eventually be outfitted with tactical nuclear missiles. Though North Korea has yet to demonstrate the ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads for such deployments, concerns are growing over its progress in developing a more advanced, mobile maritime deterrent.
The continued expansion of DPRK’s naval capabilities underscores Kim Jong Un’s broader strategy to modernize the military and signal strategic alignment with Russia, even as international sanctions and diplomatic isolation persist.
