July 12, 2026, 6:02 pm
When you think of naval powers, North Korea probably isn’t at the top of your list…and frankly given the state of their naval forces for the last seventy years it shouldn’t be.
But now the DPRK apparently has ambitions to nuclear-armed, Blue Water navy status, and it’s pouring funding into subs and surface combatants to try and get there.
So today, let’s talk about North Korea’s weird new navy.
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU
Reading and Sourcing (partial):
Reporting on the Commissioning of the Choe Hyon (Hull 51)
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/24/north-korea-commissions-first-in-class-destroyer-choe-hyon
North Korea Commissions First Guided-Missile Destroyer, Plans Cruiser
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/north-koreas-new-destroyer-sets-sail-for-the-first-time-tests-missile-systems/
Reporting on the Kang Kon (Hull 52) testing
North Korean Destroyer Kang Kon, Sunk in 2025, Conducts Mass Cruise Missile Launch
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/north-koreas-kim-observed-naval-destroyer-cruise-missile-launch-weapons-tests-2026-07-04/
Equipment changes (2025)
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/10/north-koreas-new-missile-destroyer-reemerges-with-major-upgrades/
DPRK to build two warships a year for the next five years – Kim says
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-should-build-two-warships-year-next-five-years-kim-says-2026-06-23/
DPRK ambition to build 10,000 tonne warship
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-north-korea-s-kim-unveils-plans-for-10-000-tonne-warships-nuclear-navy
Reporting – North Korea Says It Has Deployed Cruise Missiles Able to Carry Tactical Nuclear Weapons (2022)
https://www.voanews.com/a/north-korea-says-it-has-deployed-cruise-missiles-able-to-carry-tactical-nuclear-weapons-/6787816.html
Footage Source – Kim Jong Un Inspecting the Choe Hyon
North Korea's DDG-51 Choe Hyon during yesterdays visit by Kim Jong-un[Album]
byu/Ancient-Ice-879 inWarshipPorn
RAND – Shared Modular Build of Warships (2011)
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2011/RAND_TR852.pdf
Additional images:
https://m.en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/internationalnews/63240-2025-08-20-03-36-33.html
Reporting on Russian payments to DPRK for assistance in war with Ukraine
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/05/11/north-korea-has-reaped-13bln-from-military-aid-to-russia-south-korean-intelligence-says-a92731
FREMM interior shot
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/05/30/we-spent-3-days-on-a-top-ffgx-contender-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
North Korean Nuclear Powered Submarine Program reporting
https://www.csis.org/analysis/north-korea-announces-nuclear-powered-submarine-development
https://www.38north.org/2025/11/russian-nuclear-submarine-technology-will-make-north-korean-threat-more-palpable/
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/24/asia/north-korea-nuclear-powered-submarine-intl-hnk-ml
Caveats & Comments:
Nothing in this episode should be taken to represent an opinion or advice on any legal matter, including with regards to the potential application of domestic or international law to any of the events described or alluded to.
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.
Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.
Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Intro
00:01:19 — What Am I Talking About?
00:01:49 — Welcome Back to North Korea
00:04:37 — the KPAN
00:09:55 — Changing Tides
00:16:16 — the Ship
00:21:54 — the Weird
00:33:09 — Why Tho?
00:51:14 — Strategic Perspective
00:54:49 — Channel Update
Content Creator – Perun
