Pyongyang's new destroyer is unveiled in Nampo, North Korea, in this image released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on April 26, 2025. (KCNA)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called on his navy to accelerate its nuclear armament as the country’s newest warship conducted a series of weapons tests this week, state media reported Wednesday.
Kim observed the tests from Nampho Shipyard, where the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon — launched on Friday — began live-fire drills on Monday, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
The vessel reportedly fired a supersonic cruise missile, a strategic cruise missile, an anti-aircraft missile, and a 127 mm automatic naval gun. The tests have not been independently verified.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and Ministry of National Defense did not respond to phone calls seeing comment Wednesday.
Satellite imagery posted Wednesday by the monitoring group 38 North showed the Choe Hyon had returned to dry dock just days after its unveiling. The post did not elaborate on the circumstances.
Pyongyang's new destroyer is unveiled in Nampo, North Korea, in this image released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on April 26, 2025. (KCNA)
The destroyer, described by North Korean state media as “multipurpose,” is the first of a new class of warship, according to KCNA.
The agency quoted Kim as saying the ship’s weapons system effectively combines “the strongest strike measures,” including supersonic cruise missiles, strategic cruise missiles and tactical cruise missiles with conventional defense methods.
Kim said the time has come to “make a responsible choice to accelerate the navy’s nuclear armament to defend our country and keep maritime sovereignty from current and future threats.” KCNA did not elaborate on the specific tasks he proposed to achieve that goal.
Officials from North Korea’s Missile Administration, Defense Sciences, and the Electronic Warfare Administration were reportedly present during the tests.
“The power of 127 mm ship-based automatic gun attracted the officials’ attention,” KCNA wrote.
On Tuesday, the destroyer’s crew conducted additional tests, including “ship-to-ship tactical guided weapons, various ship-based automatic guns and electronic jamming guns,” the report said.
Kim said Friday he plans to officially transfer the destroyer to the navy next year, according to a report by The Associated Press on Saturday.
