The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, personally oversaw the weapons systems testing of the new 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon, with his daughter — widely considered his likely successor — by his side. According to state media, the trials evaluated a range of capabilities including cruise missiles and electronic warfare systems. The North Korean leader’s daughter was once again prominently in the spotlight.
The vessel had partially capsized during its launch last year and required repairs. Following Friday’s tests, Kim Jong Un “issued an order to responsibly complete the destroyer’s test process and commission it into naval service within two months,” according to a report by North Korea’s official state news agency KCNA.
🇰🇷 Kuzey Kore’nin yeni destroyeri ilk sınavını verdi: Kim Jong Un bizzat denetledi.
5.000 tonluk Kang Kon destroyerinden seyir füzesi atışları ve elektronik harp sistemleri test edildi. Pyongyang’ın deniz kuvvetlerini modernize etme hamlesi hız kazanıyor.
📌 The Japan Times |… pic.twitter.com/CyfoF35JiC
— Asya Pasifik Gündemi (@AsyaPasifikTR) July 5, 2026
In one of the photographs released by the agency, Kim can be seen wearing a straw hat as he observes the launches from shore, flanked by military officers and government officials. Other images show the Kang Kon firing missiles out to sea.
Kim Jong Un Oversees Cruise Missile Test from North Korea’s New 5,000-Ton Destroyer
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a series of cruise missile tests conducted from the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon as part of evaluations of the warship’s combat systems ahead of its… pic.twitter.com/cXCdu1dFqn
— Global Defense Insight (@Defense_Talks) July 5, 2026
The ship’s launch in May 2025 had ended in failure, with Kim watching on. At the time, he condemned what he called “absolute negligence” and demanded that those responsible be held accountable. Also on Sunday, KCNA reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a reply letter to the North Korean leader, who had previously congratulated him on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (July 1st).
“I am ready to guide the relevant fields and areas on both sides together with you in implementing the important understanding between us, and to lead China-North Korea relations toward long-term, extensive and stable development,” said President Xi, who visited Pyongyang last month. While North Korea has significantly strengthened its ties with Russia in recent years, China remains its most important partner.
