According to a report by BBC, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducted a two-day inspection of the country’s newest 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, at the Nampo Shipyard on Tuesday and Wednesday, overseeing sea trials and a successful test launch of sea-to-surface strategic cruise missiles, state media reported Thursday.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim reviewed the vessel’s operational capabilities ahead of its formal commissioning, describing it as a “new symbol of sea defense capability” and a major step in enhancing the navy’s offensive power.
He praised the ship’s performance during the shakedown cruise and missile firings, which he deemed a core element of its combat readiness.
Kim emphasized rapid progress in arming the navy with nuclear weapons, stating that “the arming of the Navy with nuclear weapons is making satisfactory progress” and that forces for underwater and surface attacks would “grow rapidly.”
He ordered the construction of two surface warships of this class or higher annually under the new five-year military development plan, with a third Choe Hyon-class destroyer already under construction at the same yard.
The inspection highlights North Korea’s push to modernize its navy amid perceived external threats, including ongoing US-South Korea joint exercises set to begin March 9 and regional volatility from the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.
Analysts note Pyongyang is drawing lessons from Iran’s naval setbacks, accelerating efforts to integrate nuclear-capable platforms into its surface fleet and submarines.
The Choe Hyon, first unveiled in April 2025 as North Korea’s largest warship class, is designed for multipurpose roles, including anti-air, anti-ship, and potentially nuclear strike missions with cruise and ballistic missiles.
Kim has long prioritized nuclear-powered submarines as the next major goal, with reports of ongoing construction.
South Korea’s military monitored the activities closely, detecting no immediate provocations beyond the tests. The US and allies condemned the developments as destabilizing, urging restraint amid Pyongyang’s expanding arsenal.
The visit coincides with Kim’s broader directives to boost missile production and nuclear forces, reinforcing deterrence against what state media calls US-led aggression.