North Korean destroyer Kang Kon

According to the press release by the North Korean state-run news agency Korean Central News Agency, the class is classified as a multipurpose destroyer with a displacement. Based on satellite imagery analysis, the destroyer has a length of around Based on footage released by the North Korean state media during the first ship's construction in December 2024 and satellite imagery of the second ship, the vessels would be armed with one main gun and numerous vertical launching system (VLS) cells for guided missiles, located at the bow, just behind the main gun, and at the stern. Based on the photos of Choe Hyon during its launch ceremony, the ship is armed with a main gun of ~ type, a Pantsir-ME and two AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and 74 VLS cells of various sizes for guided missiles. The ship's VLS cells consist of 32 small cells, 12 medium-sized cells, 20 large cells and 10 very large cells. The larger cells likely accommodate cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. The destroyer also has four turreted four-cell launchers, capable of firing short-range guided missiles, anti-submarine charges, or loitering munitions. An enclosure for what appears to be anti-ship cruise missile launchers is located amidship. Kang Kon's countermeasure systems consists of four countermeasures dispensers, with two on each side of the ship located at the edge of the superstructure. The vessel is equipped with four phased array radars located above the bridge, with other various sensors and communication systems located on the main mast. The ship has a flight deck at stern for helicopter. Citing Kim Jong Un's speech during the launch ceremony of Choe Hyon, the ship is claimed to have "anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-ballistic missile capabilities", and also able to carry nuclear-armed strategic cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. == Construction and launch ==

Construction of the second ship of the class may have started in May 2024, with the erection of rows of pillars on both sides of a slipway at Hambuk Shipyard, Chongjin, on the country's east coast. Over the next few months, protective screen walls with a mesh netting rooftop were added to the slipway. The structure was likely built to cover the ship during its construction. On 21 May 2025, the first attempt of launching the ship took place at Chongjin, however, a "serious accident" occurred, damaging the hull in the process. Kim Jong Un declared this to be a "criminal act" and that it had "lowered the dignity and self-respect of our state in a moment". He stated that the ship must be restored by the next plenary of the party in June. He also called for those designing the ship to be held responsible. As a result of the failed launch of the second ship, North Korea arrested four officials, including the chief engineer, the construction head and an administrative manager. Ri Hyong-son, a member of the Central Military Commission, was also arrested and deemed to be "largely responsible for the serious accident" according to North Korea's state news agency, KCNA. Satellite imagery taken on 2 June showed that the ship had been restored to an upright position. The ship was successfully launched on 5 June and it was reported that it was sent to Rajin Dockyard. The warship docked at the drydock in Rajin on 8 June. On 12 June, the ship was officially launched, and was named Kang Kon (), after the first Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army who was killed in action during the Korean War, and was given the hull number 52. Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae attended. == See also ==