North Korea adds second naval destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan hold military exercise

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissioned the country's second modern guided-missile destroyer on Sunday. The deployment coincides with the commencement of trilateral military exercises involving the United States, South Korea, and Japan. During the commissioning, Kim emphasized the necessity of strengthening North Korea's nuclear deterrent capabilities.

The vessel, identified as a nuclear-capable guided-missile destroyer, was previously reported to have capsized during its initial launch in May 2025. At the time of the accident, Kim characterized the incident as a criminal act, marking the ship's current entry into service as a significant recovery effort for the North Korean navy.