Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, recently observed a cruise missile test launch from the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon Ho, unveiling plans to construct an 8,000-ton destroyer in the future.
This announcement is seen as a direct response to the South Korean Navy’s plan to build six 8,000-ton next-generation destroyers (KDDX) by the early 2030s. Military analysts interpret this as North Korea’s commitment to bolster its naval capabilities, which have long been considered significantly inferior to South Korea’s, to a more comparable level.
According to the Rodong Sinmun on Wednesday, Kim Jong Un issued directives during a video conference on Tuesday. He ordered that shipboard automatic guns be installed on high-speed vessels under 3,000 tons, while supersonic weapon systems should replace automatic guns on the 5,000-ton and 8,000-ton destroyers. Kim also mandated the implementation of this, style weapon system configuration, starting with the third 5,000-ton destroyer.
Given that North Korea currently lacks any 8,000-ton destroyers, this statement strongly suggests that the country has already laid out plans to construct such vessels in the near future.
In April of last year, North Korea launched its first 5,000-ton multi-purpose attack destroyer, the Choe Hyon. A month later, they attempted to launch a second destroyer of the same class, the Gang Geon, but encountered a grounding incident. They successfully held a rescheduled launch ceremony in June, where Kim declared their intention to build at least two 5,000-ton destroyers annually.
Since then, North Korea has been aggressively expanding its naval capabilities. This was evident in December when they unveiled an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine. Defense experts believe that North Korea’s nuclear submarine is not the conventional weapon-carrying type currently under development by South Korea, but rather a strategic nuclear submarine (SSBN) capable of launching submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads.
Experts: North Korea’s Navy Undergoing Structural Transformation; 8,000-Ton Fleet Intended for Strategic Strikes
Defense analysts assess that Kim’s recent statements signal a major shift in North Korea’s naval strategy. They particularly note that the 5,000-ton and 8,000-ton fleets are being developed specifically for strategic strike capabilities.
This development comes as South Korea’s navy is actively pursuing the construction of next-generation Aegis destroyers (KDDX) with a full load displacement of 8,000 tons, highlighting the potential for increased naval competition in the region.
South Korea’s domestic destroyer development project, KDX, has evolved from the KDX-I (3,800 tons) and KDX-II (5,500 tons) to the KDX-III (10,000 tons) and now the KDDX (next-generation destroyer).
The KDDX is designed as a multi-role combat vessel, integrating advanced anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-ship capabilities. It will feature a fully domestically developed combat system and incorporate stealth design. The vessel is expected to counter North Korea’s SLBM threat and address maritime conflicts in Northeast Asia, with operational deployment targeted for the early 2030s.
Kim has prioritized naval power enhancement in recent years. This focus became apparent with the launch of a tactical nuclear attack submarine capable of firing nuclear missiles in 2023, followed by directives to construct and arm a 5,000-ton destroyer with nuclear weapons.
Last month, during the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party, Kim emphasized the nuclear armament of naval surface and underwater forces as part of key policy directions for the next five years.
Professor Lim Eom-chul from Kyungnam University’s Far East Studies Institute analyzed that this directive from Kim demonstrates that North Korea’s navy has elevated its role beyond merely supporting army landings or coastal defense. It now possesses independent nuclear strike capabilities, marking a significant shift in the country’s military doctrine.