A near-disastrous accident almost derailed the launch of North Korea's Kang Kon

Countries & Cities · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In May 2025, a North Korean destroyer nearly met its end before even entering the water. A sudden slip at the slipway caused the vessel to tilt sharply, damaging its hull and sparking a high-stakes investigation by Kim Jong Un into the shipyard's leadership.

The Kang Kon, the second Choe Hyon-class multipurpose destroyer for the Korean People's Navy, has a complex history marked by both technical ambition and significant setbacks. Built with a 5,000-tonne displacement, the ship aims to feature anti-submarine, anti-ship, anti-aircraft, and anti-ballistic missile functions. Kim Jong Un stated that it can transport tactical ballistic missiles alongside nuclear-armed strategic cruise missiles.

The ship's construction was marred by a 'serious accident' on 21 May 2025 at Chongjin. The vessel capsized and suffered hull damage when its stern slid into the water during a launch attempt, leaving the bow on land. While initial reports suggested a punctured hull, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) later clarified that no hole was made in the bottom, though seawater did enter the rear.

Kim Jong Un reacted to the incident with severe condemnation, labeling the mishap a 'criminal act' resulting from 'unscientific practices.' The fallout led to a full-scale investigation and the detention of several officials, including the shipyard's manager, the chief engineer, and Ri Hyong-son of the Central Military Commission. Despite the setback, the vessel was restored to an upright position by 2 June 2025 and was officially launched on 12 June 2025, with Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, in attendance.

The destroyer is a heavily armed platform, featuring a 127-millimetre main gun, a Pantsir-ME, and two 30 mm AK-630 close-in weapon systems. Its missile capacity is significant, utilizing 74 vertical launching system (VLS) cells of varying sizes: 32 small, 12 medium, 20 large, and 10 very large cells. These larger cells are likely intended for cruise and ballistic missiles.

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