NORTH KOREAN LEADER REVIEWS NEW WARSHIP, TOUTS STRIDES TOWARD NUCLEAR-CAPABLE NAVY. (PHOTO).

 North Korean leader reviews new warship, touts strides toward nuclear-capable navy

 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducted a two-day inspection of his country’s new destroyer ahead of its commissioning, observing a cruise missile test from the warship and pledging to speed up the nuclear armament of his navy, according to state media reports Thursday.

During visits on Tuesday and Wednesday to the Nampo shipyard on the country’s western coast, Kim also reviewed the construction of a third destroyer of the same class as the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon, which was first revealed in April 2025. North Korea’s state media described the vessel as capable of carrying a variety of weapons, including anti-air and anti-ship systems, as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. South Korean officials and analysts note that Russian assistance likely contributed to the Choe Hyon’s construction, but have questioned whether the ship is fully ready for active service.

Kim said the Choe Hyon met operational standards after its sea trials and called it a symbol of the country’s growing naval capabilities, setting a goal of building two destroyers of this class or higher annually for the next five years. The leader returned on Wednesday to observe a test launch of cruise missiles, which state media described as “strategic,” a term often used for nuclear-capable systems. Kim claimed that progress toward arming the navy with nuclear weapons is “satisfactory” and would represent a major shift in North Korea’s maritime defense.

The inspections and missile tests follow previous setbacks, including a damaged second destroyer, the Kang Kon, which was relaunched in June after a botched launch ceremony. Kim has increasingly focused on naval strength alongside the development of a nuclear-powered submarine, aiming to expand the country’s operational reach and preemptive strike capability. Analysts suggest Pyongyang may also be positioning to assert control over maritime boundaries long contested with South Korea, where tensions have escalated amid Kim’s refusal to recognize the Northern Limit Line.

At last month’s Workers’ Party congress, Kim emphasized expanding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and naval power while maintaining a hard-line stance toward South Korea, though he left open the possibility of dialogue with the Trump administration if Washington abandons denuclearization as a precondition for negotiations.