Kim Jong Un Orders Nuclear Naval Buildup and Commissions Destroyer

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced a strategic shift in national defense, declaring that expanding nuclear forces is the only way to navigate an unpredictable global security environment. During a Workers' Party Central Committee plenary meeting from June 20 to 22, 2026, Kim accused the United States and South Korea of pushing the peninsula toward nuclear war by enhancing their combined nuclear posture and pursuing nuclear-powered submarines. He further criticized Japan for attempting to become a military power.

To counter these threats, Kim ordered the acceleration of nuclear weapons production and the fortification of southern border naval bases. On June 23, he commissioned the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton multi-mission destroyer, at Nampho Port. The vessel, equipped with nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, marks a transition from coastal defense to a full-fledged strategic service. Kim announced plans to produce two large surface ships annually, including future 10,000-ton strategic guided missile cruisers.

Parallel to this buildup, North Korea revised its constitution to grant Kim direct command over nuclear forces and prioritized the modernization of the coal industry to combat energy shortages. Internationally, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung informed U.S. President Donald Trump during a G7 summit in France that existing sanctions against North Korea have become ineffective, suggesting a need for a new approach to the nuclear issue.