Is North Korea’s Kim shoring up navy in strategic bid with allies China, Russia?

Kim Jong-un has called for enhancing North Korea’s maritime military presence in the Pacific Ocean, citing ‘provocations’ from the US and its allies

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to build a blue-water navy to counter what he described as growing threats from the United States, an ambition that observers say appears to be linked to broader strategic coordination with key Pyongyang allies China and Russia.

Kim made the announcement during a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Rajin for a newly repaired warship, following an earlier failed launch at the same location, state media reported on Friday.

The vessel, “Kang Kon”, is the second 5,000-ton multi-mission destroyer North Korea has launched this year, following the Choe Hyon, unveiled in April. It is named after the leader of anti-Japanese guerrillas who fought alongside Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea.

In his speech, Kim called for strengthening North Korea’s maritime military presence in the Pacific Ocean, citing “provocations” by the US and its allies, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim declared that as North Korea’s naval power expanded its territorial seas into the open ocean, the country’s enemies would inevitably retreat. “The proud status of our heroic and battle-ready Navy will not only be demonstrated in our coastal waters but across the vast oceans of the world,” he said.

Kim insisted the naval build-up was a “justified response” to perceived threats from Washington and Seoul, which have intensified joint military exercises and deterrence strategies due to North Korea’s advancing nuclear programme, and warned of “overwhelming military action” in response.

Describing nearby waters as “a dangerous hotspot for nuclear war”, Kim criticised the presence of foreign warships.

“Nowhere else on Earth do hostile warships gather in such massive numbers and routinely conduct open nuclear war exercises near another country’s borders,” he said.

Kim emphasised that the development of long-range naval capabilities was crucial for safeguarding national sovereignty, suggesting that future operations could potentially reach US and allied bases.

“In the near future, routes will be established across the Pacific Ocean for our warships to approach the enemy’s forward bases and home ports,” he said. “This is the freedom of navigation granted to our nation. We will assert this right with confidence.

“It will not be long before enemy nations experience just how provoking and unpleasant it is to watch our warships move freely near the edges of their sovereign waters.”

According to Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, Kim was likely referring to key regional ports such as South Korea’s Busan and Jinhae, Japan’s Yokosuka, home of the US 7th Fleet, and Sasebo, and the US base in Guam.

KCNA also reported that North Korea’s Central Military Commission recently approved plans to build two additional 5,000-ton class destroyers by next year.

“A key takeaway from this report is the specific mention of expanding the navy’s operational scope,” Hong told This Week in Asia.

KCNA said the new generation of warships was designed to enhance North Korea’s naval capabilities “to a strategic level”.

Hong noted that the term “strategic level” implied both an expansion into blue-water operations – which are naval manoeuvres in the open ocean – and the potential deployment of nuclear-capable missiles.

The scheduled 2026 handover of destroyers to the navy, following armament and testing, may increase conflict risks with South Korea, the US, and Japan, Hong warned.

“This expansion in operational range could also be a preparatory step for conducting joint naval drills with Russia,” he added.

“North Korea may use multiple destroyers in joint exercises with Russia to establish a containment line targeting the US, connecting the Sea of Japan, Tsushima Strait, Japanese waters, and Vladivostok.”

Analysts also highlighted Kim’s pledge to “open a new phase in shipbuilding” centred on the Chongjin Shipyard and to “massively build modern large warships”.

Chongjin Shipyard, located near Rajin Port and Russia’s Vladivostok – home to the Russian Pacific Fleet – is considered a strategic hub for military and technical cooperation.

Lee Ill-woo, an expert with the Korea Defence Network in South Korea, said the relocation of the warship from Chongjin to Rajin suggested possible Russian involvement in its repairs.

Without technical assistance from China and Russia, it would be nearly impossible for North Korea to fulfil its naval and air force build-up goalsLee Ill-woo, Korean defence expert

“China and Russia are believed to be actively supporting the North’s naval build-up,” Lee said, noting North Korea lacked the domestic capacity to produce critical materials such as high-tensile strength steel needed for warship hulls.

“North Korea is a weak link in the joint defence chain that China and Russia aim to construct against the US and its allies,” he added.

“Without technical assistance from China and Russia, it would be nearly impossible for North Korea to fulfil its naval and air force build-up goals.”