Analysts link ‘Kang Kon’ launch to upcoming nuclear‑powered submarine program

Security analysts believe the commissioning of ‘Kang Kon’ may be tied to North Korea’s planned nuclear‑powered submarine fleet, a project first hinted at in a party meeting in January 2021. Earlier images released in December 2025 showed Kim inspecting an 8,700‑ton nuclear‑propulsion submarine under construction. Observers suggest that the destroyer could serve as a surface escort for future nuclear submarines, enhancing the overall credibility of the country’s sea‑based nuclear deterrent.