North Korea's supreme leader has ordered an accelerated expansion of the nuclear-armed navy after new warship and missile tests yielded satisfactory results. Experts speculate that North Korea may be preparing to announce a maritime boundary.
Today (5 Mar), North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un visited the So Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer first unveiled in April last year. He also observed missile firing tests from the ship over two consecutive days—Tuesday (3 Mar) and Wednesday (4 Mar)—prior to the vessel's commissioning. Beforehand, Kim Jong-un vowed to accelerate nuclear armament upgrades for the North Korean navy.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that during his visit to a western shipyard in the city of Nampo on Tuesday and Wednesday, Kim Jong-un also inspected construction of the third destroyer, which has the same displacement as the So Hyon warship.
Reports indicated that the So Hyon tests went well, with Kim Jong-un praising the ship's development as a significant step toward North Korea's goal of a nuclear-armed navy. This aims to expand operational areas and enhance offensive capabilities.
This warship is designed to carry various weapon systems, including anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. However, South Korean military officials and experts believe the So Hyon was likely built with Russian assistance, reflecting closer military ties between the two countries. Some officials and experts remain skeptical about the ship's operational readiness.
Previously, in May last year, North Korea unveiled its second 5,000-ton destroyer named Kang Kon. However, this ship was damaged during the launching ceremony at a northeastern port in Chongjin, which provoked strong displeasure from Kim Jong-un, who called the failure a 'crime.'
North Korea repaired the Kang Kon warship before re-launching it in June, one month after the incident. Experts questioned whether the vessel would be fully operational.
After observing the So Hyon's sea trials on Tuesday, Kim Jong-un stated that the ship met all operational requirements. He described the destroyer as a symbol of North Korea's expanding naval capabilities and ordered the construction of two warships annually, either of the same or larger displacement than the So Hyon, over the next five years.
Media released photos of Kim Jong-un observing a cruise missile test fired from the So Hyon on Wednesday. Kim described these weapons as 'strategic,' a term used to denote weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
It is anticipated that the third destroyer will be completed by the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party in October this year.
At the Workers' Party meeting last month, Kim Jong-un outlined military targets for the next five years, including plans to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that can be launched from underwater. This has made enhancing naval capabilities a priority, including warship construction and the ongoing development of nuclear-powered submarines, after years of focusing on land-based ballistic missile development.
Kim Jong-un stated that efforts to nuclear arm the navy have made satisfactory progress. He said these advancements will bring a major change in protecting maritime sovereignty—something North Korea has been unable to achieve for over half a century. Analysts interpret this as a possible indication that North Korea plans to officially declare new maritime boundaries, which could encroach on waters controlled by South Korea.
Source: AP
Read news aboutNorth Korea