Pyongyang, April 30 (HS): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently supervised the testing of various weapons systems aboard the newly unveiled destroyer, Choe Hyon. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the tests, conducted on Monday and Tuesday, included a supersonic cruise missile, strategic cruise missile, anti-aircraft missile, and a 127mm shipboard automatic gun. Kim emphasized the need for a robust defense system alongside enhanced attack capabilities, advocating for the nuclearization of the navy.

The Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer, was launched at Nampo, marking a significant advancement in North Korea’s naval modernization efforts. Kim expressed intentions to establish a blue-water operational fleet, capable of conducting operations beyond coastal waters. This development occurs amid increasing military cooperation with Russia, with concerns about potential reciprocal sharing of military technology as Russia deepens its ties with North Korea amidst its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

North Korea’s ballistic missile testing program has also expanded, with recent short-range missile firings following U.S.-South Korean military exercises, which Pyongyang interpreted as invasion rehearsals. These actions highlight North Korea’s ambitions to bolster its military capabilities amid ongoing tensions with both the U.S. and South Korea.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar