Kang Ko’n Commissioning Ceremony
Amid the unfolding era of astonishing transformation in strengthening Chuch’e‑based naval power—brought about by the Korean Workers’ Party’s outstanding military‑strategic thought and energetic leadership—another powerful warship that will reliably safeguard our state’s sacred maritime sovereignty and national interests has been commissioned into the Navy of the Korean People’s Army.
The commissioning of the Kang Ko’n, the second destroyer of the Choe Hyon class, equipped with composite combat capabilities that can flawlessly carry out assigned missions in any waters and built according to our own original concepts for strengthening naval power, is a meaningful event. It demonstrates the Party Central Committee’s strong will to build a blue‑water fleet and its unceasing progress toward naval modernization, driven by the ardent desire for national prosperity and military strength.
A grand commissioning ceremony for the destroyer Kang Ko’n was held at Wo’nsan Port on September 6.
The port—where the past and present of our naval development can be seen at a glance—was filled with boundless gratitude toward Comrade Kim Jong Un, who has turned the people’s century‑long desire for a powerful navy into reality and infused our navy with invincible vitality.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, attended the commissioning ceremony.
As the welcoming music played and Comrade Kim Jong Un arrived at the venue, the harbor erupted in thunderous cheers expressing absolute trust and admiration for him—who has set forth an original direction for building modern naval power, vigorously guided its realization, and opened a stirring new era of naval prosperity in which the mighty strength and spirit of Korea surge across the oceans.
The KPA Navy solemnly received Comrade Kim Jong Un with its deepest respect for the outstanding leader and great guardian of our state and people.
A ceremony to receive the head of state was held.
Comrade Kim Jong Un reviewed the Navy’s honor guard and the Navy’s honor guard marched past.
Senior officials of the Party and government—including members of the Political Bureau Presidium, officials of the Party Central Committee, responsible officials of ministries and central institutions, commanders of large combined units of the KPA, naval officers, crew of the destroyer Kang Ko’n, retired naval generals, workers, scientists, technicians of the shipbuilding industry, citizens of Wonsan, and youth and students—attended.
As the solemn music of the DPRK national anthem played, our sacred national flag was reverently raised.
An artistic performance commemorating the commissioning of the new destroyer was held.
The performance featured songs praising the heroic and courageous combat history of the Republic’s navy, the lives of loyal sailors who have defended the sacred seas of the motherland, and hymns of patriotism.
The performance vividly portrayed, in artistic form, the high ideological and spiritual world of naval service members who have set their eternal life coordinates on the course of defending the motherland, who will forever glorify the immortal name and victories of Kim Jong Un’s navy, and who remain unwaveringly faithful to the sacred mission given by the Party and the motherland. It added to the significance of this meaningful September celebration.
Next, the destroyer commissioning ceremony proceeded.
Jo Chun Ryong, member of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau and secretary of the Party Central Committee, delivered a report on the preparations for commissioning the destroyer Lang Ko’n.
He stated that at this historic time, when a new heyday of strengthening Juche‑based naval power is advancing to a higher stage, the destroyer Kang Ko’n is being formally commissioned into the KPA Navy. He explained that through multiple stages of professional evaluation and testing after its launch, the ship’s combat performance and reliability were comprehensively verified.
Representing the workers, scientists, and officials of the defense industry—including the Chongjin and Rajin shipyards—he solemnly declared that the destroyer Kang Ko’n, which will carry out the DPRK’s maritime defense mission, was ready to be handed over to the KPA Navy.
He emphasized that thanks to the Party Central Committee’s outstanding and correct leadership, the rapid development of the Republic’s naval power has entered a solid track.
He stated that the unwavering conviction and high enthusiasm of the shipbuilding workers and defense science research groups is to glorify this great era with the construction and launching of ever more powerful warships each year. He expressed their determination to ensure the rapid development of the DPRK’s naval power through responsible effort and struggle in support of the national defense development line set forth by the Party Congress.
Minister of Shipbuilding Industry Kim Kwang Il handed over the destroyer’s transfer documents to the KPA Navy.
Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered a meaningful speech.
He expressed deep emotion that at this very port—where 81 years ago in September, anti‑Japanese revolutionary fighters led by the Great Leader boarded the Kaeson and dropped anchor for liberation—a new‑generation destroyer is now raising its anchor with grand ambitions for the open seas. He said that the great ambition for national prosperity once carried on the small Kaeson is now carried on a modern warship stretching out toward the ocean from this port of memory.
He stated that even amid today’s difficulties, evaluating the demands of history and the present era from a responsible attitude toward the security of the present and future—and boldly challenging them with our own calculations—comes from the awareness and mission of a generation determined not to pass the historic task of building a powerful navy befitting a maritime nation to future generations. He said the destroyer Kang Ko’n is, before being a composite of our economy, defense, and science‑technology, the pride, will, and indomitable spirit of Korea to defend its own rights.
He said that through the realization of naval nuclear armament, we must make the diverse and effective operation of nuclear combat systems a reality and clarify military activities for maritime defense and war deterrence. This, he said, is the constitutional duty of the DPRK’s armed forces. He affirmed that the responsible activities and important role of our navy will strictly restrain enemy invasion fleets and will certainly produce strategic retreat on their part.
He declared that aside from guaranteeing the balance of power, there is absolutely no other guarantee for peace. He reaffirmed the Party and government’s unwavering stance to continue building overwhelming military strength feared by hostile forces, deploying the most powerful strategic assets in the most important waters to defend the Republic’s maritime sovereignty, the security environment of Northeast Asia, and world peace.
When Comrade Kim Jong Un finished his speech, all participants erupted in storm‑like cheers of “Manse!” pledging to uphold the Party Central Committee’s unshakeable will to defend national sovereignty and its policy of building a powerful army with the most thorough practical achievements.
By authorization, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission Pak Jong Chon read the order commissioning the destroyer Kang Ko’n into the KPA Navy and handed it to Navy Commander Admiral Pak Kwang Sop.
According to the Party Central Military Commission’s order, the destroyer Kang Ko’n is commissioned into the KPA Navy’s East Sea Fleet and will carry out its responsible mission as a defender of our state’s maritime sovereignty and as part of nuclear war deterrence.
Captain Choe Chol Jin, representing the destroyer’s crew, delivered a statement of resolve.
He spoke of the great honor and pride of commanding a powerful new warship and expressed deep respect and gratitude to the workers of the Chongjin and Rajin shipyards and related defense industry sectors who vigorously support the Party Central Committee’s grand plan for naval power.
He pledged that, as sailors of the new‑generation main destroyer Kang Ko’n, carrying the immortal spirit of the founding generation and the heavy duty of defending maritime sovereignty, they will follow the Party Central Committee’s course without deviation and responsibly exercise the ship’s invincible defensive power and mighty deterrent entrusted by the motherland and people.
He vowed that the crew will never forget the pledge made before Comrade Kim Jong Un, the motherland, and the people, and will continue the ship’s course across the vast ocean with the most brilliant feats, raising ever higher the dignity and honor of the glorious DPRK.
Amid enthusiastic encouragement from participants, the destroyer’s crew boarded the ship with the fleet flag and naval ensign at the forefront.
A ceremony was held to raise the naval ensign on the destroyer Kang Ko’n.
As nine ceremonial salutes were fired, the naval ensign was solemnly raised on the ship amid the participants’ blessings and military salutes.
Comrade Kim Jong Un boarded the destroyer.
The captain greeted him with great honor as the head of state boarded the ship ahead of its commissioning departure.
Comrade Kim Jong Un inspected various combat spaces of the ship and sent warm congratulations and militant encouragement to all commanders and sailors beginning their honorable service aboard the Republic’s new‑generation destroyer named after a revolutionary fighter, entrusted with the sacred mission of defending inviolable national sovereignty.
He met the destroyer’s sailors on the foredeck.
A commemorative binoculars bearing Kim Jong Un’s name were presented to the destroyer Kang Ko’n.
He stated that today’s solemn handover ceremony—held amid the blessings of the motherland and people—is a historic event marking another step forward in raising our navy’s operational capabilities to a strategic level and a clear demonstration of the irresistible force of our cause in opening the era of naval prosperity.
He said that as a force included in the national nuclear response system, the new‑generation destroyer must be ready to deliver annihilating retaliatory strikes against enemies whenever ordered. He expressed his belief and expectation that the commanders and sailors of the destroyer Kang Ko’n, embodying Korea’s strength, spirit, and courage, will elevate the combat history of the Republic’s navy to greater glory and achieve only victory. He took a commemorative photo with them.
The destroyer’s commanders and sailors pledged solemnly to steer with unwavering conviction, follow the Party Central Committee’s course across the vast waves, and glorify the honor of the Republic’s navy with proud records of victory.
Comrade Kim Jong Un disembarked and warmly met retired naval commanders attending the event.
The Navy Commander ordered the destroyer Kanggeon to depart.
As the ship’s horn sounded and celebratory fireworks and balloons rose, all naval vessels anchored in the harbor raised celebratory signal flags.
Participants waved to the destroyer’s sailors, sending their warmest congratulations.
Comrade Kim Jong Un offered a militant salute, wishing that only the honor of invincible victory would accompany the destroyer Kang Ko’n.
That day, Party and government officials and other attendees toured the ship armament exhibition and naval history photo exhibition, feeling deep pride at the rapid development of our navy—accelerated beyond precedent and limits through Comrade Kim Jong Un’s tireless leadership.
The KPA Navy held a banquet to commemorate the destroyer’s commissioning.
The commissioning of the destroyer Kanggeon clearly demonstrated the epoch‑making progress and development of modern naval power under Comrade Kim Jong Un’s leadership and gave doubled strength and encouragement to the entire people’s general advance to successfully carry out the grand revolutionary program set forth by the historic 9th Party Congress.
With the great leader Kim Jong Un—the symbol of our powerful DPRK and the banner of ever‑victorious struggle—at the helm, the path of our navy will always be marked only by tracks of victory and glory.
Political Reporting Group
