North Korea commissions 2nd naval destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan begin a military drill

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissioned his second naval destroyer and called for building a more reliable nuclear deterrent, state media reported Monday, as the U.S., South Korea and Japan began a trilateral military exercise he views as a security threat.

The development comes as North Korea is dialing up pressure on the U.S. after rebuffing President Donald Trump's decision to scale back a major military drill with South Korea in a conciliatory step toward Kim. Observers say North Korea wants to wrest bigger U.S. concessions.

The destroyer Kang Kon was commissioned into North Korea's navy in the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday at a ceremony attended by Kim and his teenage daughter whom South Korea’s spy service calls his likely heir. North Korean state media photos showed the girl dressed in a white dress and blazer walking alongside her father on a red carpet, touring the warship and posing with sailors together.

The ship and the Choe Hyon, commissioned in June, are both 5,000-ton destroyers equipped with nuclear-capable missiles, making them North Korea's most advanced warships.

In a speech at the ceremony, Kim said the destroyers' back-to-back commissionings instilled fear in the enemies as the nuclear armament of North Korea's navy made it possible to exercise its nuclear deterrent in a more diversified, practical manner.

“Concerns of the enemies will be surely deepened,” Kim said. "We must establish more clearly a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent, to put into practice the diverse and effective operation of our nuclear combat systems and further strengthen our military activities for maritime defense and war deterrence.”

On Monday, the U.S., South Korea and Japan were set to kick off their five-day Freedom Edge exercise in the waters off South Korea's southern Jeju island. South Korea's military recently said the exercise is defensive in nature is meant to respond to North Korea's nuclear threats.

Last week, North Korea's Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of more clearly expressing its confrontational posture against the North. It cited the Freedom Edge exercise and U.S. officials' reported comments that the U.S. remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

On Aug. 21, the U.S. and South Korean militaries ended their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise six days earlier than originally planned, after Trump said he had ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drill. Trump cited what he described as a good relationship with Kim, who views the drill as an invasion rehearsal.

But Kim's sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, shrugged off Trump's outreach, saying just shortening the drill won’t change its “provocative, aggressive nature.” North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, apparently delivering on its previous threat to respond to the U.S.-South Korean drill.

Kim Jong Un has previously said he could return to talks if the U.S. drops its “hostile policy” against North Korea and respects what he calls North Korea's status as a nuclear state.

Kim and Trump's earlier diplomacy collapsed in 2019 due to disputes on how much economic benefits North Korea should get in return for a limited denuclearization step. Now with his advancing nuclear program and deepened ties with Russia and China, experts say Kim has greater leverage than before.

South Korean army K-9 self-propelled howitzers take positions in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korean army soldiers work near their K-9 self-propelled howitzer in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, front center, his daugther, third left in front, and his wife Ri Sol Ju, second left in front, attend a commissioning ceremony of a destroyer, Kang Kon at a port in Wonsan, North Korea Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows a destroyer, Kang Kon at a commissioning ceremony at a port in Wonsan, North Korea Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un and his daugther attend a commissioning ceremony of a destroyer, Kang Kon at a port in Wonsan, North Korea Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

SEATTLE (AP) — Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards and a touchdown, and No. 17 Washington survived offensive struggles for a 24-10 victory over Washington State in a season-opening Apple Cup on Sunday.

Williams also scored on a 5-yard keeper in the 118th meeting of the two teams, who were once both part of the Pac-12. Washington won last year's meeting 59-24 in Pullman.

Transfer Caden Pinnick made his debut as quarterback for the Cougars, throwing for 142 yards and scoring on an 11-yard keeper in the fourth quarter.

“(I) thought Washington State had a really good plan, played really hard, did a nice job,” Washington third-year coach Jedd Fisch said. “Very challenging Week 1 to really make sure that we kind of knew what we wanted to get done. We felt like we didn’t play the at the level we would like to play at, but we also are very happy with the victory.”

Washington State was one of the remaining members of the Pac-12 left after realignment broke apart the conference ahead of the 2024 season. The Cougars and Oregon State helped re-build the conference, which now includes Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State, along with non-football member Gonzaga.

The Huskies, meanwhile, bolted the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. Washington went 9-4 last season with a 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl.

Washington State was embarking on it's first season under coach Kirby Moore after going 7-6 last season. He brought in Pinnick, who played at UC Davis last season and threw for 3,206 yards and 32 touchdowns as a freshman.

Washington State's defense was largely effective in thwarting the Huskies throughout the game, but the Cougars missed a pair of field goals that could have narrowed the gap and were 0-11 in converting on third down.

“I've got to get better with the preparation and getting the guys ready for third downs. You're not going to win a lot of games going 0-11, and ultimately taking care of the ball, that falls on me,” Pinnick said.

Tyler Robles’ 48-yard field goal gave the Huskies the early lead. In the second quarter, Jeron Jones intercepted Pinnick and ran it back 8 yards to the Washington State 21. After breaking free on a 16-yard run to keep the drive alive, Williams scored on a 5-yard keeper to make it 10-0

The Cougars stopped the Huskies on fourth-and-1 at the goal line to end the half.

The Cougars had a chance to get on the board midway through the third quarter but Jack Stevens' 32-yard field goal attempt went wide right. Stevens also missed a 52-yard attempt on Washington State's first series of the game.

After the Cougars stopped another Washington attempt to convert on fourth down at the end of the third quarter, Washington State drove down the field and scored on Pinnick's 11-yard run to narrow the gap to 10-7.

Washington answered with Rashid Williams' 1-yard touchdown reception.

The Huskies' Rylon Dillard-Allen was ejected for targeting on Pinnick midway through the fourth quarter before Stevens' 42-yard field goal made it 17-10.

Jayden Limar capped scoring for the Huskies with an 11-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left.

“It felt really good, definitely, especially you know the way we won. Very gritty, you know, being able to hold the lead right there at the end when they were battling back and showing signs of life,” Demond Williams said.

The Cougars were hurt in the first half when receiver Tony Freeman was injured and did not return.

Traditionally in the days of the old Pac-12, the Apple Cup was played over Thanksgiving weekend as the final game of the season for both teams. This year’s rivalry was unusual as the season opener.

Another break with tradition? No Washington State band.

When Washington moved to the Big Ten for the 2024 season, it moved visiting bands from the lower bowl to the seats in an upper corner of the stadium. Washington State decided it was a hardship for the band to navigate getting down to the field and back for performances.

Washington State visits Kansas State, while Washington hosts Utah State on Sept. 12.

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Washington safety Alex McLaughlin (7) celebrates making an interception against Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington defensive lineman Derek Colman-Brusa reacts after a field goal attempt by Washington State place-kicker Jack Stevens was no good during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington runs out to the field before facing Washington State in an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looks to throw against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington linebacker Xe'ree Alexander tackles Washington State quarterback Caden Pinnick during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State head coach Kirby Moore claps before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. celebrates scoring a touchdown against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)