Nuclear-capable warship that capsized when launched finally joins North Korea’s fleet

North Korea has commissioned its second modern guided-missile destroyer, a remarkable recovery for a vessel that capsized when it was launched in May 2025, infuriating the country’s leader Kim Jong Un who called it a “criminal act.” Kim said Sunday’s commissioning of the destroyer Kang Kon was a result of the country’s “self-respect, will and strong spirit.” He added that the nuclear-capable warship would send a strong message of deterrence to North Korea’s enemies, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It’s quite a turnaround from last year when the Kang Kon was being launched, a malfunction in the mechanism caused the stern to slide prematurely into the water, crushing parts of the hull and leaving the bow stranded on the shipway, KCNA reported at the time. A day later, state media reported the damage was not as bad as initially feared.