Most dangerous countries see North Korea add second nuclear destroyer as US allies begin drills
In the most dangerous countries region, North Korea commissioned its second nuclear-capable destroyer as the United States, South Korea and Japan began a trilateral military exercise in waters off the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the commissioning of the 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon in Wonsan on Sunday and stated it forms part of a nuclear response system for annihilating retaliatory strikes. [5] The Kang Kon and the previously commissioned Choe Hyon are North Korea's most advanced warships, both equipped with nuclear-capable missiles. [5]
North Korea Commissions Second Nuclear Destroyer
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the commissioning of the 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon in Wonsan on Sunday and stated it forms part of a nuclear response system for annihilating retaliatory strikes. [5] The Kang Kon and the previously commissioned Choe Hyon are North Korea's most advanced warships, both equipped with nuclear-capable missiles. [5] Korean Central News Agency photos showed Kim's teenage daughter Ju-ae, whom South Korea’s spy service calls his likely heir, dressed in a white dress and blazer walking alongside her father on a red carpet, touring the warship and posing with sailors. [5] At the ceremony, Kim said deploying the new ship to the sea east of the Korean Peninsula sent a clear signal to North Korea’s adversaries. [3] North Korea has accelerated efforts to modernize its navy as Kim pursues a broader expansion of the country’s nuclear-capable forces. [3]
Kim Jong Un Calls for Stronger Nuclear Deterrent
Kim said the back-to-back commissioning of the destroyers would deepen enemies' concerns and enable more diversified, practical nuclear deterrent operations at sea. [5] In a speech at the ceremony, Kim said the destroyers’ back-to-back commissioning instilled fear in the enemies as the nuclear armament of North Korea’s navy made it possible to exercise its nuclear deterrent in a more diversified, practical manner. [5] “Concerns of the enemies will be surely deepened,” Kim said. [5] “We must establish more clearly a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent, to put into practice the diverse and effective operation of our nuclear combat systems and further strengthen our military activities for maritime defence and war deterrence.” [5] The development comes as North Korea dials up pressure on the US after rebuffing President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back a major military drill with South Korea in a conciliatory step towards Kim. [5]
US, South Korea and Japan Launch Freedom Edge Drills
South Korea, the US and Japan launched the five-day Freedom Edge exercise on Monday in international waters east and south of Jeju Island, involving six Aegis-equipped destroyers, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets and refuelling tankers. [4] The trilateral drill aims to enhance multidomain operational capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats and proceeds despite the recent scaling back of a major US-South Korea exercise ordered by President Donald Trump. [4] The multidomain Freedom Edge exercise kicked off in international waters east and south of South Korea's southern island of Jeju, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a press release. [4] The three nations will leverage the drills to enhance operational capabilities and joint response capabilities across multiple domains, including maritime, air and cyber, while maintaining a robust and stable cooperative relationship. [4] The JCS stressed the exercise is an annual drill of a defensive nature, conducted in accordance with international law and norms. [4] It is aimed at enhancing deterrence and response capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats, while safeguarding regional peace and stability. [4] The South Korean Navy is deploying the 7,600-ton ROKS Yulgok Yi I and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong destroyers. [4] Japan's Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Forces said it will deploy the 7,700-ton Atago and 5,100-ton Asahi destroyers, the P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, the SH-60K helicopters and F-15 fighter jets. [4] The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet revealed the arrival of its 6,900-ton Arleigh Burke-class USS Benfold at a port in South Korea's southern city of Busan. [4]
Context of Scaled-Back US-South Korea Exercises
The trilateral drill proceeds despite the recent scaling back of a major US-South Korea exercise ordered by President Donald Trump. [4] Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his intention to meet Kim later this year and ordered the scaling back of a major South Korea-U.S. exercise, citing his "very good" relationship with Kim. [2] He also argued that the allies' drills are costly and can send a "totally inappropriate and hostile" signal to the North. [2] The scaled-back exercise raised concerns that it could weaken the allies' deterrence against Pyongyang's growing nuclear and missile threats. [2] The UFS was scaled back by half after Trump ordered to reduce the drills, in an apparent conciliatory gesture toward North Korea. [4] Pyongyang has long denounced the allies' drills as war rehearsals. [4] This year's Freedom Edge, its fourth iteration since the inaugural launch in June 2024, is being held to its schedule despite the scaling back last month of the bilateral Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise between South Korea and the U.S. [4]
South Korean Calls for Independent Security Capabilities
South Korea's ruling Democratic Party leader called for strengthening independent security capabilities in case the US and North Korea adopt a 'freeze-first' approach to Pyongyang's nuclear programme. [2] The leader of the ruling Democratic Party on Monday called for strengthening South Korea's independent security capabilities, citing the possibility of a shift toward a "freeze-first" approach to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. [2] Rep. Kim Min-seok made the call in his policy address to the National Assembly session, stressing the need for Seoul to facilitate dialogue between the United States and North Korea while actively responding to possible changes in their relations. [2] "Considering the possibility that the United States and North Korea may achieve a dramatic improvement in relations and if by any chance, a 'freeze-first, resolve-later' approach could be adopted on the North Korean nuclear issue, South Korea must strengthen its independent security capabilities in advance," Kim said. [2] "The days when South Korea could depend solely on the United States are over," Kim added, noting that Washington is choosing to become "a tough negotiating partner rather than a generous big brother." [2] Kim also said Seoul should consider whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "two-state" policy could be used to promote peaceful coexistence rather than dismissing it entirely. [2]
What to watch next: Observers say North Korea wants to wrest bigger US concessions after rebuffing President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back a major military drill with South Korea. [5]
