North Korea has officially deployed its new 5,000-ton destroyer, Choi Hyun-ho, with Kim Jong-un in attendance at the commissioning ceremony.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on June 24 that the ceremony took place at Nampo Port the day before.
In his speech at the event, Kim stated, "We have achieved a satisfactory result in possessing the most perfect and complex operational combat capabilities for our ship."
He acknowledged that the North Korean navy had previously been considered the weakest branch of the military, saying, "That has now changed. Our naval combat power will be extraordinary beyond imagination."
Kim emphasized that the era when the navy existed merely as a coastal defense force is now a thing of the past, asserting, "The navy is growing into a military branch equipped with strategic means, and the nuclear armament of the navy is progressing accurately on its own path."
He described the enhancement of naval power as a crucial strategic process that will solidify the country’s nuclear deterrent capabilities and ensure dominance in maritime defense and military activities.
Kim also outlined plans to build two surface vessels of the 'Choi Hyun' class or larger each year during the five-year plan, including 10,000-ton cruisers, while also developing escort ships and underwater weapon systems.
He noted the lack of facilities to dock large combat vessels like the Choi Hyun-ho, calling it a "happy dilemma."
"In the past, we could say we did not need such facilities. However, now the construction of modern naval bases has become an urgent and essential task," he said, reiterating the decision made during the recent Central Committee meeting of the Workers' Party held from June 20 to 22 to build naval fleet bases.
Kim added that the 'Ganggeon-ho,' which ran aground during its launch last year but is currently undergoing performance tests, will soon be operational, and he plans to launch additional 10,000-ton strategic vessels in succession.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, noted that while the Choi Hyun-ho is equipped with various missiles, it is more of an offensive destroyer than a defensive Aegis ship. He suggested that further analysis is needed to determine how well it can withstand modern combat scenarios, such as precision drone strikes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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