North Korea Launches New Multipurpose Destroyer
An aerial view captured during the ceremony for the launch of a new multipurpose destroyer in Nampo, North Korea, as reported by state media KCNA. Picture released on April 26, 2025. — KCNA via Reuters
- Kim Jong Un attended the destroyer launch.
- Officials claim the warship showcases national "strength and technology."
- The vessel is identified as "Choe Hyon-class," named after the anti-Japanese revolutionary figure.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present at the launch ceremony for a new multipurpose destroyer, according to a report from the state media outlet KCNA on Saturday.
The warship, weighing in at 5,000 tons, is reportedly armed with advanced weaponry and was constructed in just over 400 days, entirely using domestic resources and expertise, as stated by Jo Chun Ryong, a secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party.
In a speech at the launch, Kim announced plans for the ship to join the navy and enter active service by early next year. The ceremony took place on Friday at Nampho’s military shipbuilding yard and marked a new phase of "Kim Jong Un-style fleet building," according to Vice-Admiral Pak Kwang Sop. The ship is designated as "Choe Hyon-class," in honor of the revolutionary fighter Choe Hyon.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the launch of the new multipurpose destroyer in Nampo, North Korea, as reported by state media KCNA. Picture released on April 26, 2025. — KCNA via Reuters
Earlier this month, Reuters indicated that this new class of North Korean warship is designed to accommodate multiple vertical launch cells intended for missiles that have already been developed, based on satellite imagery analysis.
Kim emphasized that strong preemptive capabilities serve as the most effective deterrent against war, asserting that there are no limits to the potential scope of such attacks. "The security situation in our country is extremely serious at the moment," he commented.
He also expressed gratitude to the workers and technicians involved in the creation of the new destroyer, which aligns with the party’s vision of enhancing naval forces, according to KCNA.
Additionally, Kim pointed out that the United States frequently positions strategic assets in the Korean Peninsula. Recently, B-1B bombers participated in joint military exercises conducted with South Korea, which have been criticized by North Korea as preparations for conflict. Conversely, Seoul categorizes these actions as purely defensive maneuvers.
