Kim Orders North Korea Warship Push
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for the country to build two 5,000-ton warships every year over the next five years, signalling a major push to expand Pyongyang’s naval power and maritime military reach.
North Korea Warship Plan Announced By Kim
Kim made the remarks during a commissioning ceremony for the new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampho port. State media said the vessel had completed operational testing and was now being placed into service.
The North Korean leader said the country must rapidly strengthen its navy and build modern warships at a faster pace. He described naval expansion as an important part of national defence at a time of rising regional tensions.
Choe Hyon Destroyer Joins North Korean Navy
The Choe Hyon is a 5,000-ton destroyer and is being presented by Pyongyang as a major step in modernising the North Korean navy. Kim said similar vessels should be built consistently as part of a long-term military construction plan.
North Korea is also expected to deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer named Kang Kon. That vessel had suffered damage during an earlier launch but was later repaired, according to state media reports.
North Korea Expands Naval Ambitions
Kim also referred to plans for larger 10,000-ton strategic warships, indicating that Pyongyang is looking beyond coastal defence and toward a stronger blue-water naval role.
The announcement comes as North Korea continues to expand its missile and nuclear capabilities despite international sanctions. Kim said the navy’s role, status and operational scope would change significantly, suggesting that naval forces may become a larger part of North Korea’s strategic deterrence.
The move is likely to raise concern in South Korea, Japan and the United States, which closely monitor Pyongyang’s military modernisation and missile-related developments.
