North Korea commissions 2nd naval destroyer as U.S., South Korea, Japan begin military drill
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissioned a second nuclear-capable naval destroyer as the U.S., South Korea, and Japan began joint military exercises. Kim emphasized the need for a stronger nuclear deterrent in response to what he characterizes as security threats from the trilateral alliance.
Why it matters
The commissioning of advanced warships and the accompanying rhetoric signal an escalation in regional tensions and North Korea's commitment to expanding its nuclear maritime capabilities.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissioned his second naval destroyer and called for building a more reliable nuclear deterrent, state media reported Monday, as the U.S., South Korea and Japan began a trilateral military exercise he views as a security threat.
The development comes as North Korea is dialling up pressure on the U.S. after rebuffing President Donald Trump's decision to scale back a major military drill with South Korea in a conciliatory step toward Mr. Kim. Observers say North Korea wants to wrest bigger U.S. concessions.
The destroyer Kang Kon was commissioned into North Korea's navy in the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday at a ceremony attended by Mr. Kim and his teenage daughter whom South Korea's spy service calls his likely heir.
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