North Korea commissions second 5,000-ton destroyer equipped with nuclear-capable missiles

North Korea commissioned its second naval destroyer on Sunday, a day before the commencement of the US-South Korea-Japan trilateral military exercise.Commissioned in the eastern port city of Wonsan, Kang Kon is the second 5,000-ton naval destroyer after Choe Hyon’s June debut. Both are equipped with nuclear-capable missiles.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for building a more reliable nuclear deterrent, state media reported, viewing the trilateral ‘Freedom Edge’ exercise as a threat after the US scaled back its previous ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’ exercise with South Korea in early August.Kim said in a speech at the ceremony that the back-to-back warship additions had instilled fear in North Korea's enemies as they strengthened the navy’s nuclear armament, AP reported.“Concerns of the enemies will surely be deepened,” Kim said."We must establish more clearly a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent, put into practice the diverse and effective operation of our nuclear combat systems and further strengthen our military activities for maritime defence and war deterrence,” he added.According to AP, diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang collapsed in 2019 after disputes over how much economic benefit North Korea should get in return for a limited denuclearisation step.Since then, North Korea has significantly improved its relations with US rivals, especially Russia, by assisting Moscow with arms and troops in the ongoing war in Ukraine.On Monday, the US, South Korea and Japan began their five-day exercise near South Korea's southern Jeju Island. The South Korean military called it a defensive exercise, meant to enhance joint response capabilities against North Korean nuclear threats.Kim had previously mentioned the resumption of talks with the US, provided Washington drops its “hostile policy” against the North and accepts it as a nuclear state.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.