North Korea Takes New Nuclear Step in Preparation for War

North Korea has taken another step in developing its nuclear capabilities after its leader, Kim Jong-un, pledged to equip the country with a navy capable of operating freely with nuclear deterrent weapons.

According to Pyongyang’s state media, the North Korean leader’s announcement came as new military exercises involving US allies were getting underway.

The drills, involving Japan, South Korea, and the United States, are being held this week and were launched in 2023 with the aim of deterring the missile and nuclear threats posed by Pyongyang.

Kim made the remarks during a ceremony in the coastal city of Wonsan marking the return to service of the warship Kang Kon, which partially capsized while being launched into the water in May 2025, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

The agency quoted Kim as saying: “We must ensure the diversified and effective operation of nuclear combat systems in preparation for an actual war by developing our navy into a nuclear-armed force.”

He added: “Once the order is issued at any time, the new-generation destroyer must deliver a deadly retaliatory strike against the enemy as part of the state’s nuclear counter-retaliation system.”

Images released from the event showed his daughter, Ju Ae, who is reportedly being groomed as his successor, attending the ceremony alongside him.

Kim had supervised a test of the Kang Kon last July. The vessel is one of two 5,000-ton-class warships that were launched the previous year.

Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University, said Kim’s reference to a “nuclear-armed navy” suggests that these ships could serve as launch platforms for tactical cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Kim also revealed that North Korea was implementing an “important plan” to strengthen its naval capabilities, with the results to be unveiled to the world “within eight months.”

The US-led allies’ exercises, known as “Freedom Edge,” are scheduled to continue until Friday in international waters east and south of the South Korean island of Jeju.

The exercises went ahead despite President Donald Trump scaling back another set of military drills with South Korea, as part of his efforts to reopen diplomatic channels with Pyongyang over its nuclear programme.