North Korea Commissions Nuclear-Capable Destroyer Amid Joint Drills

On September 7, 2026, North Korea commissioned a new 5,000-ton-class naval destroyer named Kang Kon, its second Choe Hyon-class vessel, as the U.S., South Korea, and Japan began joint military drills. The destroyer is assigned to the country's nuclear response system, according to state media. This comes about eight months after a previous destroyer capsized, and the North Korean leader said the navy is reaching another milestone in its strengthening.