North Korea Shows Off Plans For A 10,000-Ton Cruiser Ahead Of Xi’s Visit

North Korea announces a new project to build a warship and an underwater weapons program just days before Chinese President Xi visits.

Even though Chinese President Xi Jinping is only going to be there for a few days, North Korea has already revealed plans to build a 10,000-ton destroyer and work on secret underwater weapons.

The news came out in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Saturday, after leader Kim Jong Un watched a navy test on Thursday.

As soon as possible, Kim told the navy to send out the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon and the destroyer Kang Kon, according to the story.

Hong Min, a senior expert at the Korea Institute for National Unification, says this is the first time North Korea has discussed its plans to build a 10,000-ton destroyer in public.

Hong said Kim might be trying to show off North Korea’s military power before Xi comes to visit.

The newspaper reported that the leader of North Korea said Pyongyang needed to boost its naval forces to stop a nuclear war. He also called for stronger military power on land, at sea, and in the air.

On Monday and Tuesday, Xi Jinping will go to North Korea. It will be his first trip there in almost seven years. Beijing wants to improve its relationship with Pyongyang, which is its only recognized ally.

Before the visit was announced, Kim called for North Korea’s nuclear arsenal to grow exponentially while he was visiting a new center for producing nuclear materials on Thursday.

Kim, believed to be a teenager named Ju Ae, inspected ships with his daughter, according to the newspaper.

In May 2025, North Korea said that a 5,000-ton destroyer did part of a flip during a launch event at Chongjin Port. At the event, Kim condemned the incident, labeling it a “criminal act” that was unacceptable.

The ship underwent repairs at Rajin Port, was relaunched the following month, and received the official name Kang Kon.