Kim Jong Un monitors cruise missile launch from new naval warship

Seoul [South Korea] : North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has examined the test-firing of strategic cruise missiles from a new naval destroyer prior to its commissioning amid the recent escalation of tensions in West Asia into a full-scale conflict in Iran, according to the nation’s state media, which Seoul’s news agency Yonhap cited on Thursday.

According to the South Korean news agency, which cited North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim oversaw the launch of sea-to-surface missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon from a shipyard in the port city of Nampo in the country’s west.

Kim jong Un said

Kim oversaw the firing of sea-to-surface strategic cruise missiles from the destroyer on Wednesday, describing it as a “core” feature of the new warship’s capabilities and a “new symbol of sea defence” for his country.All of these accomplishments represent a significant shift in preserving our marine sovereignty, something we have not seen in half a century,” he said.

According to Yonhap, North Korea uses the term “strategic” weapons to signify that it may have nuclear capabilities.

His visit to the shipyard lasted two days (Tuesday and Wednesday). Kim examined the Choe Hyon, the lead vessel of a new series of 5,000-tonne “Choe Hyon-class” destroyers being built in North Korea.

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In April 2025, North Korea debuted the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton multifunctional destroyer, as part of its efforts to boost naval capability.

Last May, a second Choe Hyon-class destroyer crashed during a launch ceremony at Chongjin Shipyard, which was observed by the North Korean leader.

According to Al Jazeera, the collision shattered pieces of the hull, leaving the bow stranded on the shipway. Kim referred to the launch failure as a “criminal act” and blamed it on “absolute carelessness” and “irresponsibility” across several state organisations.

Following this, in June of last year, North Korea launched the Kang Kon, a 5,000-ton destroyer.

North Korea’s most advanced vessel prior to the development of the “Choe Hyon class” destroyer was a 1,500-ton frigate, according to Seoul’s defence white paper.

According to KCNA, the third destroyer now under construction at the Nampo shipyard is anticipated to be finished by the ruling Workers’ Party’s founding anniversary in October.

Meanwhile, Yonhap claimed that Pyongyang has pledged to continue producing nuclear bombs and developing diverse strategic weapons as part of a new five-year defence plan.

The 9th Congress of the North Korean Workers’ Party was convened from February 19 to February 25, and Kim reportedly stated that he intends to expand his country’s nuclear weapons.

Just days after the Congress, the United States and Israel conducted strikes against Iran, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticised the United States and Israel’s “reckless bandit-like behaviour,” calling it “illegal aggression” and a “despicable form of sovereignty violation,” via the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In addition, North Korea has inked security treaties with Russia and China in recent years.