North Korea's Kim Jong-un Attends New Navy Destroyer Launch
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Synopsis
On April 26, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the launch of a new destroyer, emphasizing military enhancements in maritime power. The vessel, named Choe Hyon, is equipped with advanced weaponry and aims to fortify North Korea's maritime sovereignty against perceived threats.
Key Takeaways
- Kim Jong-un launched a new 5,000-ton destroyer.
- The destroyer enhances maritime defense capabilities.
- Named Choe Hyon after a revolutionary fighter.
- Plans for nuclear-powered submarines in the future.
- Criticism of US-South Korea military drills.
Seoul, April 26 (NationPress) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended a launching ceremony for a new destroyer designated for the nation's navy, highlighting the military's commitment to bolster its maritime capabilities, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday.
At the event held in the shipyard of Nampho, a western port city in North Korea, the country unveiled its latest 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the People's Revolutionary Army.
Kim was accompanied by his daughter, known as Ju-ae, as he inspected the newly constructed naval vessel, named Choe Hyon in honor of a late North Korean anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter.
The destroyer, which is set to join the North Korean navy by early next year, boasts advanced weaponry that enhances its capabilities in air defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-ballistic missile operations, according to the KCNA report.
It is also capable of being outfitted with supersonic strategic cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles for accurate land attack missions.
During his address at the ceremony, Kim stated that this destroyer will strengthen the nation's ability to “thoroughly defend” North Korea's maritime sovereignty and will mark a crucial milestone in its journey toward becoming a formidable maritime power.
He emphasized that “the strength to launch aggression is directly proportional to the strength to prevent aggression,” underscoring the necessity of a “pelagic fleet” in the face of a “serious threat” to North Korea's security landscape, as per the KCNA.
According to Kim, “The most reliable means to proactively and safely manage military threats” on the Korean Peninsula, including nuclear threats, is to develop pelagic operational capabilities to deter and counteract any hostile military presence in the region.
He also committed to constructing additional Choe Hyon class warships, larger cruisers, and various escort vessels in the coming year, alongside plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines in the future.
Furthermore, Kim criticized the joint military exercises conducted by South Korea and the United States in March, as well as their recent agreement on a new wartime operations plan disclosed during a meeting of the US House Armed Services Committee earlier this month, according to Yonhap news agency.
He remarked, “The new nuclear war plan of the US and South Korea is the clearest expression of hostile intent towards the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and constitutes a direct threat to regional and global peace,” referring to North Korea by its official name.
Kim concluded, “We will respond decisively to these geopolitical developments and emerging trends, and will take corresponding countermeasures.”
