North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has launched a new 5,000-ton destroyer, amid growing tensions with the United States and South Korea, state media reported Saturday.
The ceremony took place on Friday at the Nampo shipyard, located on North Korea’s western coast.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim attended the event and praised the shipbuilders for completing the vessel in just over 400 days, using only domestic resources and technology.
North Korean officials introduced the warship as the first of the new “Chow Hyon-class” destroyers, named after a prominent revolutionary fighter.
KCNA described the ship as heavily armed, capable of firing anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons, along with ballistic and cruise missiles that could carry nuclear warheads.
Vice Admiral Pak Kwang Sop hailed the ship’s launch as the beginning of what he called a “great era” of North Korean naval expansion under Kim’s leadership.
Kim said the destroyer would be delivered to the navy by early next year and would soon join regular operations.
He stated that building a powerful navy is crucial to defend North Korea’s sovereignty in an increasingly hostile environment.
In his address, Kim criticised Washington and Seoul for their military exercises and updated nuclear deterrence plans, accusing them of preparing for war.
He warned that North Korea would respond strongly to any threat, adding that there would be “no limit” to how far the country would go to defend itself.
The new destroyer has been launched after North Korea showcased a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, although defense analysts have questioned whether Pyongyang can truly build such advanced vessels without external help.
Kim also confirmed that developing a nuclear-powered submarine remains one of his top priorities.
In a 2021 political meeting, he outlined plans to develop a range of modern weapons, including solid-fueled ICBMs, hypersonic missiles, military satellites, and missiles with multiple warheads.
North Korea has since carried out multiple tests to achieve these goals.
Meanwhile, South Korean officials allege that Pyongyang has provided weapons and even personnel to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In return, North Korea is believed to be seeking economic aid and military technology, which could speed up its arms programs.
The South Korean Defense Ministry confirmed that a US B-1b strategic bomber took part in a joint air drill earlier this month.
North Korea has strongly opposed such activities, labelling them preparations for invasion, while South Korea says that the drills are purely defensive.
References: AP News, business-standard
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