North Korea navy must be nuclear-armed, Kim says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country should develop its navy into a nuclear-armed force, state media reported Monday, as maritime drills involving Japan, South Korea and the United States opened.

Kim made the remarks at the Sunday commissioning of the Kang Kon warship in the port city of Wonsan, the official Korean Central News Agency reported. KCNA quoted him as saying North Korea should ensure the operation of “nuclear combat systems” by developing the navy into a nuclear-armed force.

KCNA also quoted Kim as saying the new-generation destroyer should be able to deliver a retaliatory strike if ordered. The Kang Kon is one of two 5,000-tonne class warships launched last year. It partially capsized during its launch in May 2025, and Kim oversaw a test of the vessel in July.

Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University, said Kim's reference to a “nuclear-armed navy” suggested the vessels could serve as launch platforms for tactical nuclear-capable cruise missiles.

Kim also said North Korea was carrying out an “important plan” to strengthen its navy that would be demonstrated to the world “in eight months”, according to KCNA. Lim said that could point to the possible unveiling of a major strategic asset, such as a new submarine capable of carrying submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The allied Freedom Edge drills are set to run until Friday in international waters east and south of South Korea's Jeju Island. The exercises were established in 2023 in what officials described as an effort to deter North Korea's missile and nuclear threats.

The manoeuvres are proceeding after US President Donald Trump curtailed another set of drills with South Korea as he seeks to reopen diplomacy with Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. North Korea has shown little sign of reciprocating, firing missiles and condemning the downsized drills, US arms sales approvals for South Korea and US plans to fund programmes documenting human rights abuses in the North.