On June 12, 2025, the North Korean shipbuilding enterprise in Rajin (Rason) hosted the launching ceremony of the second nationally built destroyer Kang Gon (tail number 52), which is being built for the Navy of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The ceremony was attended by the leader of the DPRK, Comrade Kim Jong-un.
Launching (decommissioning) at the North Korean shipbuilding enterprise in Rajin of the second nationally built destroyer Kang Gon (Kang Kon / 강건, tail number 52), 12.06.2025 (c) KCNA
The lead ship of this type, Choe Hyon (tail number 51), was built at the North Korean shipbuilding enterprise in Nampho on the Yellow Sea coast and was successfully launched in high readiness in the presence of Kim Jong-un on April 25, 2025. On April 28, naval tests of the ship's combat systems began . The second Kang Gon ship was built at a shipyard in Chongjin (Hambok Shipyard) on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The second ship was named in honor of General Kang Kang Gon (1918 - 1950), who became the first chief of the KPA General Staff in 1948-1950 and died at the beginning of the Korean War.
An attempt to launch the Kang Gon destroyer at the Chongjin shipyard using an on-board (transverse) method in the presence of Kim Jong-un was made on May 21, 2025 and ended in a severe accident - the ship capsized while launching onto the port side into the water, while remaining lying with its stern on the shore. The fact of the accident, contrary to usual, was widely publicized by the North Korean official. On Kim Jong-un's personal instructions, the emergency ship was straightened in record time and then moved on June 5 for repairs to a dry dock located 60 km north of the shipbuilding enterprise in Rajin (Rason), where it was restored and on June 12 it was successfully refloated in a dry dock. However, the degree of actual restoration of the ship's systems at such a pace remains unclear.
The stated displacement of the new North Korean destroyers is 5,000 tons and these are the largest warships built in the DPRK. Judging by the published photos, the ships have several inclined launchers of North Korean strategic cruise missiles of the Hwasar family (Hwasal) for strikes against ground targets, vertical launch installations (VVP) for 74 cells for missiles of at least three different types (10 large - presumably supersonic anti-ship, and 20 medium anti-aircraft and 44 small anti-aircraft), one 127-mm universal artillery installation of North Korean design, two six-barrel 30-mm artillery installations, the Pantsir-ME anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex or its copy, four quadruple launchers of well-known North Korean multipurpose guided missiles with fiber-optic cable control, as well as four launchers for a complex of fired missiles. interference, and reportedly two twin-tube 533 mm torpedo tubes. For the first time, North Korean ships have received an unknown radar system with four fixed phased array antennas. There is a helipad, but at the same time, there is no place for a helicopter to be permanently based on destroyers, although, apparently, small helicopter-type UAVs can be based.
The KCNA report on the launch of the Kang Gon destroyer says:Pyongyang, June 13. KCNA/- The firm beliefs and steadfast revolutionary will of the Workers' Party of Korea to reliably protect the eternal power, wealth and prosperity of our great state at the expense of an incomparably powerful, absolute force open the era of the brilliant flourishing of the Republic's Navy along with the continuous birth of powerful Juche-style weapons.
Another multi-purpose destroyer, which will reliably guarantee the maritime sovereignty and state interests of the DPRK, has met a historic moment when it imprints its sacred name as a defender in history, demonstrating the unwavering will of our party to build a powerful army. Under any adverse conditions, it does not allow disruption and stagnation, but strives only for progress.
The acquisition of a new type of destroyer, resolutely carried out by persistent enthusiasm and a firm fighting spirit on the sacred path to strengthening and developing the Juche Navy, is a demonstration of the unyielding spiritual strength of the working class in the field of shipbuilding and our mighty state power, as well as an incomparably great shift in the implementation of the naval strategy of the Central Committee of the Party for the reliable protection of the security of the Motherland and peace on Earth.
On June 12, a solemn ceremony of launching the KPA Navy destroyer took place at the Rachinsk Shipyard.
It was attended by senior personnel of the party, government and departments of the armed forces, workers, scientists, technical and senior officials in the field of shipbuilding, soldiers and officers of the KPA Navy, commanders and sailors of the destroyer, teachers, staff and cadets of the Kim Jong Suk Naval Academy, commanders of all types of troops and corps of the KPA, responsible employees ministries and central institutions.
At the ceremony site, where the grandiose ideal and bold spirit of Juche Korea, aspiring to an advanced maritime power, were demonstrated, there was a sense of absolute trust in Comrade Kim Jong-un, who is resolutely accelerating historical prosperity in the radical renovation of shipbuilding in a new era, and great pride in the inexhaustible power of our state, which is becoming stronger every day.
The honor guard of the KPA Navy was lined up in an impressive manner, waiting for the moment of glory.
When esteemed Comrade Kim Jong-un arrived at the ceremony site, where the newest multi-purpose destroyer is majestically anchored, all participants exultingly paid the highest glory and honors to the incomparable patriot, the all-conquering Commander, who, overcoming with great dedication and steely will the untrodden, steep path to achieving the prosperity of the Motherland and the well-being of future generations, opens a period of stormy development in the construction of a maritime power for the brilliant realization of a cherished desire in the five thousand-year history of the nation.
A solemn welcoming ceremony was held for Comrade Kim Jong-un.
Comrade Kim Jong-un walked around the line of flag bearers with glorious military banners and the honor guard of the KPA Navy.
Comrade Kim Jong-un was greeted with a sense of boundless respect by the leading Naval commanders.
There was a ceremonial march of the honor guard of the KPA Navy.
Led by Comrade Kim Jong-un, senior cadres of the party and government, naval commanders, including the commander of the KPA Navy, commanders of all types of troops and corps of the KPA, responsible secretaries of provincial party committees, senior officials in the field of defense industry, senior and honored workers in the field of shipbuilding took their places on the podium.
The National Anthem of the DPRK was solemnly performed.
The Secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, Cho Chun Ryong, delivered a speech dedicated to the launching ceremony of the ship.
He expressed boundless inspiration from the fact that, thanks to the high revolutionary enthusiasm and dedication of the working class in the field of shipbuilding, it eventually became possible to launch the newest destroyer No. 2, which will join the front line of the Republic's naval defense forces, and report the result to the Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party. This is a proud event that makes it deeply clear that the era when Korea's ideal and goal, its growing state power, reach the ocean, is approaching like the imposing appearance of a destroyer," he said.
He emphasized that the newest multi-purpose destroyer is designed in our way and has increased integrated combat capability. The point is that, as an initiative deterrent force for maritime protection, it can freely sail not only in the Korean East Sea, but also in the Pacific Ocean and deliver a crushing retaliatory blow to enemy forces trying to challenge the sovereignty of our state and encroach on its rights to peace and prosperity, wherever they may be - in primorye, ocean and on land. He expressed confidence that today's solemn launching ceremony of the destroyer will show that the new era of naval power, which our party, state and people are striving to build, is an undeniable reality.
He paid tribute to the realities when an epochal event took place - under the energetic leadership of Comrade Kim Jong-un, who is leading the comprehensive and rapid victorious advancement of the cause of the radical renewal of the defense industry in a new era, 2 large multi-purpose destroyers were built in a short time, no more than a year and a half. The outstanding and experienced leadership of the Central Committee of the party, which, by bearing the fruits of change in the revolutionary industry, opens a period of rapid development in strengthening the power of self-defense, is glory, which is an unlimited force for creating miracles not only in the field of shipbuilding, but also on the entire front of the defense industry," he stressed.
He said that thanks to the leadership of esteemed Comrade Kim Jong-un and the invaluable experience and lessons learned in the persistent struggle, the Korean shipbuilding industry will achieve more brilliant successes. He expressed his determination to better reveal the unshakable spirit of faithfully supporting the ideas and leadership of the Central Committee of the great party, further forge a more powerful creative force and devote himself to the sacred struggle for the glorification of the DPRK, our worthy and mighty Motherland, in the face of the world.
At the ceremony, North Korean Defense Minister Noh Gwang Chol published an order personally signed by Comrade Kim Jong Un from the Central Military Commission of the WPK on determining the class and name of the destroyer and handed over the certificate of the class and name of the ship to the commander of the East Sea Fleet of the KPA Navy.
By order of the Central Military Industrial Complex of the TPK, the newly built destroyer was assigned to the Choe Hyun class and named as the Kang Gun destroyer.
Comrade Kim Jong-un presented the naval flag of the Kang Gon destroyer to the commanders of the East Sea Fleet of the KPA Navy.
To mark the launching of the destroyer, the secretary of the Central Committee of the party, Cho Chun Ryong, cut the arrest rope.
Under the horn of the ship, the curtain fell, hiding the name of the ship, fireworks and balloons rose, which decorated the sky.
Comrade Kim Jong-un boarded the destroyer.
The destroyer, having met the glorious hour when the Supreme Commander-in-Chief makes the first inspection of the ship, was seized with military delight.
Comrade Kim Jong-un, having accepted the report of the ship's captain, inspected the decks of the bow and stern of the ship, warmly encouraged the sailors.
A monument to Kang Gon, a veteran of the anti-Japanese Revolution and the first chief of the General Staff of the KPA, has been unveiled on the destroyer.
Comrade Kim Jong-un wished that the youth of Kang Gon, an outstanding military figure who represents the valor of the KPA, a true communist revolutionary, his brave will and invaluable spirit shown on the way to the offensive against the South, would become the driving force of the ship, an eternal source of fighting spirit "one against a hundred", inspire the sailors of the new generation, so that they leave only traces of victory at sea, and stimulate the eternal prosperity of the Republic's Navy. He laid flowers at the monument to the commander honored at the foundation of the army and expressed deep respect.
Comrade Kim Jong-un met with scientific, technical and shipbuilding workers who contributed to the construction and restoration of the destroyer, and encouraged them.
Shaking hands with each of the honored workers, Comrade Kim Jong-un wholeheartedly expressed gratitude for their patriotic loyalty and labor exploits. Having unanimously risen to the construction of a new generation ship and its restoration, they showed high professionalism and ability, thereby contributing to the impeccable execution of the order of the Central Military Commission of the party.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un delivered a solemn speech.
Comrade Kim Jong-un said: the solemn launching ceremony of the destroyer No. 2 shows that the powerful current of a new era of building a fleet that has lifted the sacred principle from anchor continues, and most precisely, our ambitious plans for building ships aimed at building a world-class navy are being implemented at a rapid pace. He expressed his warm gratitude to the heroic working class of the shipbuilding industry, including the Chongjin and Rachin shipyards, scientific, technical and senior workers in related fields, who brought a very important event that made it possible to experience changes in practice, showing the extremely rapid development of our shipbuilding industry.
Although there were ridiculous twists and turns when the dignity and authority of the state were undermined in an instant purely because of an irresponsible approach to business and an unscientific pursuit of outdated experience, he said, however, no difficulties could slow down the important march towards strengthening the Navy's combat capability. And continued: this, as a "nutrient" necessary for the progress and leap of shipbuilding, once again confirmed the power of our way of conducting a revolution, a way of development.
Comrade Kim Jong-un mentioned that today the fundamental renovation of shipbuilding is actively accelerating precisely because of our firm will and our own powerful forces and high technical potentials that practically guarantee this work. He highlighted the defense strategy of our party and practical measures to rapidly strengthen the Navy, for example, according to the logic of our Navy, that only strength and the ability to launch a counterattack can prevent enemy aggression, starting next year, two Choe Hyun class destroyers or a higher class will be built annually and placed in the operational water area.
Comrade Kim Jong-un said that our work to open the era of the rapid flourishing of the Navy has entered a real stage, and expressed hope and confidence that the shipbuilding team with boundless dedication and a spirit of patriotism, a hundredfold increased practical ability that no one can ignore, and persistent diligence will build modern and large-scale ships that correspond to the image of a military power, which is the purpose and decision of our party, and thus will continue to write new pages in the history of the rapid development of shipbuilding.
When Comrade Kim Jong-un finished his speech, all the participants, confident in the bright prospects of Juche Korea, which is energetically moving towards building an advanced maritime power in the new century, expressed great delight and joy with boisterous shouts of "Manse!" shaking the port.
Comrade Kim Jong-un highly appreciated the heroic feat of Cho Geum-hyuk, the head of the pipe rolling brigade No. 1 of the Chongjin Shipyard Modernization workshop, who died at the site of the shock work for the construction of the destroyer, and personally comforted his wife and son.
Comrade Kim Jong-un presented commemorative coins to the main commanders of the destroyer and, against the background of the Kang Gon destroyer, took a souvenir photo with the future personnel of the ship, which will forever shine in the history of army construction.
He expressed great confidence that all the sailors of the destroyer would reliably inherit the great spirit and indomitable courage of the representatives of the generation of the creation of the army, who honorably defended the sovereignty of our Republic, and thereby glorify the immortal services of the Navy to the Motherland, their glorious traces of protection with their brilliant exploits.
The entire personnel of the destroyer, who had the highest honor of receiving the first review and the warm wishes of the head of state, expressed gratitude to esteemed Comrade Kim Jong-un and expressed their firm determination to vividly demonstrate the heroic fighting spirit of the Republic's naval forces and stand guard over the territorial waters of the Motherland with an iron wall, following the path of victories indicated by the Central Committee of the Party.
Comrade Kim Jong-un met with workers, scientific and technical workers, craftsmen and senior employees of the shipbuilding industry, including the Chongjin and Rajin shipyards, who contributed to the construction of the ship. He expressed the hope that with relentless enthusiasm and persistent struggle they would launch invincible ships in a row into the waters of their Homeland and thus continuously write worthy pages in the great history of the boundless expansion of the KPA's power, and took a picture with them as a souvenir.
A performance was held to mark the launching of the destroyer.
The solemn launching ceremony of the Kang Gon destroyer of the KPA Navy is a vivid demonstration of the unwavering determination and will of the CPC to rapidly develop our Navy into a powerful type of military responsible for one part of the state nuclear deterrent forces, and thereby consistently protect the sovereignty of the state, its territorial integrity and security interests. It is also an epochal event that gives tremendous momentum to the patriotic struggle of our people, who are rapidly moving forward towards a rich and prosperous future with grandiose aspirations and ideals.
The honor of the heroic people's Navy, which is rising every day with the glorious era of Kim Jong-un, will be vividly celebrated as a symbol of the courage and victory of the unyielding socialist Korea, and its military forces, rushing to the boundless ocean, will demonstrate to the whole world their dignity and imposing appearance as an all-powerful bulwark for the defense of justice and peace.
The full text of Kim Jong-un's speech at the launch of the second destroyer on June 12.
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The ceremony of launching (decommissioning from the dry dock) at the North Korean shipbuilding enterprise in Rajin of the second national-built destroyer Kang Gon (Kang Kon / 강건, tail number 52), 12.06.2025 (c) KCNA
