North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged the acceleration of efforts to equip the country’s navy with nuclear weapons, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This statement came during his visit to a test of the DPRK’s Choe Hyon multi-mission destroyer. After observing the test, Kim reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the ship’s continued reliance on conventional weaponry, stating that it failed to serve as a dependable maritime defence tool.
North Korea said Wednesday leader Kim Jong Un observed the test-firings of missiles from a recently launched destroyer — the first such warship for the North — and called for accelerating efforts to boost his navy’s nuclear attack capabilities.
North Korea last week unveiled the 5,000-ton destroyer equipped with what it called the most powerful weapons systems built for a navy vessel. During Friday’s launching ceremony at the western port of Nampo, Kim called the ship’s construction “a breakthrough” in modernizing North Korea’s naval forces.
Notably, North Korea has also stockpiled a significant quantity of chemical and biological weapons. In 2003, North Korea withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Since 2006, the country has conducted six nuclear tests at increasing levels of expertise, prompting the imposition of sanctions. Now, North Korea is focusing on enhancing its capabilities in the sea.
Kim emphasized the urgency of enhancing the naval forces with nuclear capabilities, framing it as a necessary step to safeguard the nation’s maritime sovereignty against both current and future threats. He stated that the time had come to make a “responsible” decision regarding the nuclearization of the navy to strengthen national defence.
In a related development, North Korea recently conducted a successful test-launch of its latest surface-to-air missile system. According to North Korean sources, the test was aimed at verifying the overall performance of the system. They claimed it confirmed the missile’s swift response capabilities and high reliability under combat conditions.
Meanwhile, Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to defend North Korea if required. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the mutual defence agreement between the two countries remains active. The pact, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in June 2024, includes a clause mandating immediate military support in the event of an attack on either nation.
Following the agreement, North Korean troops officially joined Russia’s military efforts to repel a Ukrainian assault on the Kursk Region. President Putin has since praised the North Korean forces for their courage, discipline, and professional training, acknowledging their contribution to the defence and successful liberation of the contested area.
