Overview

• Kim inspected the Choe Hyon at the Defence Development-2025 exhibition on Oct. 5 and urged the navy to be ready to deter, counter and punish perceived enemy provocations, according to state media.
• New photos reviewed by Naval News show major changes since April, including replacement of AK-630–style close-in weapons with mounts resembling China’s Type 730 and a reworked vertical launch system with fewer total cells.
• The ship’s fit now lacks earlier anti-tank missile launchers, adds additional decoy systems and pedestal-mounted 14.5mm machine guns, and features revised fire-control radars and relocated electronic warfare sensors.
• Official imagery unusually revealed a modern combat information center, bridge and crew spaces, but outside analysts continue to note uncertainty over the destroyer’s operational status.
• SI Analytics previously reported engine installation and projected sea trials could come as early as October, while the program’s recent history includes the Kang Kon’s May launch accident and a June relaunch and a plan for another destroyer by October 2026.