Fri Jun 13 07:23:55 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**North Korea Vows to Expand Naval Power After Salvaging Damaged Warship**

Rajin, North Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over the relaunching of the destroyer *Kang Kon* at the Rajin shipyard, after the vessel partially sank during its initial launch last month. State media reports that Kim declared the incident has not derailed Pyongyang’s ambition to bolster its naval capabilities.

Named after a North Korean military hero, the 5,000-tonne destroyer’s repairs were completed in just two weeks, according to Kim. He also announced plans to construct two more similar destroyers in the coming year. Kim emphasized the need to strengthen North Korea’s maritime presence in the Pacific Ocean, citing perceived provocations from the United States and its allies.

“Soon, enemies will experience, themselves, how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters,” Kim was quoted as saying. He envisioned North Korean warships traversing the Pacific toward “outposts of aggression” in the near future.

Satellite images have confirmed the repair work on the *Kang Kon*, which partially capsized in May during what Kim has labeled a “criminal act.” The vessel, North Korea’s second known destroyer, is considered crucial to Kim’s efforts to modernize the nation’s naval forces. South Korean military estimates suggest the *Kang Kon* is similarly equipped to the *Choe Hyon*, another 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel built with Russian assistance.

Kim has consistently advocated for military modernization and an aggressive response to perceived threats from the US and South Korea. While the White House recently expressed openness to communication between President Trump and Kim, reports indicate that North Korea has refused to accept a letter from Trump via its delegation at the United Nations.

Read More