North Korea Plans Larger Destroyer and New Underwater Weapons

North Korea says it plans to build a 10,000-ton destroyer and develop new underwater weapons, according to state media reports released on Saturday. The announcement comes shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Pyongyang next week.

Naval Expansion Plans

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that leader Kim Jong Un supervised a naval weapons test on Thursday. During the visit, he reportedly ordered faster deployment of two warships:

• The Kang Kon, a 5,000-ton destroyer
• The Choe Hyon, another 5,000-ton-class warship

The report did not give technical details about the new 10,000-ton destroyer, which would be one of the largest naval vessels ever claimed by North Korea.

A South Korean expert said this is the first public mention of such a large destroyer in North Korea’s plans, suggesting a possible effort to upgrade naval power significantly.

Focus on Military Strength

According to state media, Kim Jong Un said North Korea must strengthen its navy to deter what he called the threat of nuclear war. He also called for stronger military capabilities across land, sea, and air. He also reportedly pushed for faster development of “secret underwater weapons,” though no details were provided.

Timing Before Xi Jinping’s Visit

The announcements come ahead of Xi Jinping’s planned visit on Monday and Tuesday. It will be his first trip to North Korea in nearly seven years. Analysts say the timing may be meant to show military strength and reinforce diplomatic ties with China, North Korea’s only formal treaty ally. China has been working to rebuild engagement with North Korea after years of limited high-level contact.

Nuclear Messaging Continues

Before the visit announcement, Kim Jong Un also called for a major expansion of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. He made the remarks during a visit to a newly operating nuclear material production facility. This continues Pyongyang’s long-standing policy of strengthening its nuclear deterrent.

Previous Ship Incident

North Korea also recently faced a setback in its naval program. In May 2025, a 5,000-ton destroyer partially capsized during a launch ceremony in Chongjin. Kim Jong Un called the incident a “criminal act” and demanded accountability. The ship was later repaired and relaunched in a second ceremony in June, where it was named Kang Kon.

Outlook

North Korea’s latest announcements highlight its continued focus on expanding military capabilities, especially naval and nuclear forces. However, many details remain unverified due to the limited transparency of official state media reports.