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Kim Jong Un commissions 5,000-tonne destroyer
The Hindu··7 Sept
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissioned the destroyer Kang Kon in Wonsan on Sunday, state media reported Monday. The ship and the Choe Hyon, commissioned in June, are both 5,000-tonne destroyers with nuclear-capable missiles. The United States, South Korea and Japan were set to begin the five-day Freedom Edge exercise off Jeju on Monday.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Trilateral Freedom Edge drills off Jeju run for five days starting Monday.
- South Korea's military called the exercise defensive and tied it to North Korea's nuclear threats.
- Kim said naval nuclear armament lets the North use its deterrent in more diversified ways.
What's Happening
- Kang Kon joined the navy at a Wonsan ceremony attended by Kim and his teenage daughter.
- Kim called for a more powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent in his speech.
- North Korea's Foreign Ministry last week criticised Freedom Edge and US denuclearisation comments.
The Drill Backdrop
- On August 21, Ulchi Freedom Shield ended six days early after Trump ordered a substantial reduction.
- Kim Yo Jong said shortening that drill did not change its nature.
- North Korea then launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea.
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