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North Korea plans to arm its navy with nuclear weapons and construct larger warships, according to leader Kim Jong Un, as reported by state media Wednesday. Pyongyang continues to expand its military capabilities despite multiple international sanctions related to its nuclear program, which its leaders consider vital for deterrence against the United States and South Korea.
Kim spoke at the commissioning of the Choe Hyon, one of two 5,000-ton ships launched last year, in Nampho port on Tuesday, as detailed by the official Korean Central News Agency. He stated, “The effort to equip our navy with nuclear weapons is progressing perfectly according to plan,” emphasizing that this strategy is crucial for maintaining a versatile and ready nuclear force.
The Choe Hyon is described by North Korea as being armed with the most advanced weaponry. Kim supervised a cruise missile test from the vessel in April. He announced plans to soon commission the destroyer Kang Kon and, subsequently, to launch a series of 10,000-ton strategic warships one after another. The country aims to annually produce two surface ships larger than the Choe Hyon, including a 10,000-ton cruiser.
A naval ship of this size, comparable to the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers or South Korea’s Sejong the Great class, typically measures about 150-170 meters (roughly 492-557 feet), about the length of 1.5 football fields, and weighs several thousand tons. South Korea maintains a fleet with over ten ships exceeding 5,000 tons, whereas North Korea currently operates only two.
Military analyst Choi Gi-il from Sangji University remarked that the deployment of such sizable ships signifies North Korea’s resolve not to lag behind South Korea’s maritime strength. Pyongyang has asserted itself as an “irreversible” nuclear power since the collapse of a 2019 summit with Donald Trump over denuclearization and sanctions easing.
Despite ongoing hostility, North Korea remains technically at war with South Korea, as the 1950-53 conflict ended only with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
Photos from the Korean Central News Agency show Kim saluting and delivering remarks from the Choe Hyon during the vessel’s commissioning, flanked by senior officials. Defense expert Lim Eul-chul noted that North Korea’s motives are primarily directed at signaling to the U.S., its main security partner for South Korea. “These weapons are part of an effort to deter or hinder U.S. military actions on the Korean Peninsula,” he said. Adding, “If North Korea deploys ship-launched cruise missiles with tactical nuclear warheads, it would significantly strain South Korea and U.S. military resources, increasing defense costs.”
This announcement follows Kim’s recent discussions within the ruling party, where he pledged accelerated military modernization efforts and accused Seoul and Washington of bringing the peninsula “to the brink of nuclear war.” The U.S. station approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea to bolster defenses against North Korean threats.
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