North Korea has announced its intention to construct a 10,000-ton destroyer and develop secret underwater weapons, as reported by state media on Saturday. This announcement comes just before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit to the country.

Military Expansion

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper detailed a recent naval test overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, during which he ordered the deployment of the destroyer Kang Kon and another 5,000-ton warship, the Choe Hyon. The newspaper did not provide further specifics on the new destroyer.

This marks the first time North Korea has publicly mentioned plans for a 10,000-ton destroyer, according to Hong Min, a senior analyst at South Korea’s Institute for National Unification. The move is seen as a demonstration of North Korea’s military capabilities in anticipation of Xi’s visit.

Strategic Timing

Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to enhance North Korea’s naval capabilities to deter nuclear war, advocating for robust military strength across land, sea, and air. Xi Jinping’s visit, the first in nearly seven years, signals Beijing’s intent to reinforce its alliance with Pyongyang.

Prior to the announcement of Xi’s visit, Kim had called for an exponential increase in North Korea’s atomic arsenal during a visit to a newly operational nuclear material production facility.

Past Challenges

In May 2025, North Korea faced a setback when a 5,000-ton destroyer partially capsized during its launch at Chongjin port. Kim Jong Un, who was present at the ceremony, condemned the incident as a “criminal act.” The vessel was later repaired and successfully launched as the Kang Kon.

During the recent ship inspection, Kim was accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, highlighting the familial aspect of leadership in North Korea.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.