North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has unveiled a new 5,000-tonne naval destroyer reportedly equipped with nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
The dictator attended the ship’s launch ceremony at the Port of Nampo on Friday alongside his daughter and favoured successor, Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be 12 or 13 years old.
State media reported the vessel, named “Choe Hyon” after a deceased anti-Japanese fighter, is armed with “the most powerful weapons” and will strengthen North Korea’s ability to defend itself against perceived US aggression.
The warship weighs 5,000 tonnes and is described as a “multi-purpose” vessel by Jo Chun Ryong, a secretary in the ruling Workers’ Party.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae
Reuters
A view of a “new multipurpose destroyer,” as per state media KCNA’s reports, in Nampo, North Korea
Handout via Reuters
It was reportedly built in just 400 days and is designed to operate various systems, including anti-air and anti-naval weapons.
According to Kim’s speech, the destroyer is equipped with “anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-ballistic missile capabilities, as well as supersonic strategic cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles”.
The vessel is expected to be commissioned into active service early next year. In a chilling threat to the West, Kim vowed to “respond decisively to this geopolitical crisis and ongoing developments,” according to state news agency KCNA.
The North Korean leader warned: “If the US continues to renew its record in the protests of military power, we will have no choice but to renew it in the exercise of strategic deterrence.”
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, attends a ceremony for the launch of a “new multipurpose destroyer,
Reuters
The “new multipurpose destroyer,” as per state media KCNA’s reports, in Nampo, North Korea
Reuters
Kim also stated that strong pre-emptive attack capabilities were the most “convincing war deterrent” and that there was no limit to the scope of such attacks.
Regional tensions have skyrocketed amid recent efforts by the United States and South Korea to expand joint military exercises.
Kim criticised these exercises, portraying them as preparations for war against his country. North Korea continues to flaunt its nuclear capabilities with a series of tests on cruise and hypersonic missiles.
The dictator has also reportedly sent around 12,000 troops, including special forces, to support Russia in its illegal invasion of Ukraine. South Korea’s military has not immediately publicly commented on the revelation of the new ship.
Kim Jong Un has strengthened ties between Moscow and Pyongyang
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump in June 2019
The unveiling follows North Korea’s announcement last month of a purported nuclear-powered submarine under construction.
Military analysts believe the new destroyer could accommodate dozens of vertical launch cells capable of firing guided cruise missiles that North Korea claims could carry nuclear warheads.
Some experts have questioned whether North Korea, one of the poorest nations on earth, could develop such advanced capabilities without foreign assistance.
Kim previously pledged to develop a broad array of advanced weapons, including nuclear-powered submarines, solid-fueled ICBMs and hypersonic weapons.
During his first term as US President, Donald Trump unsuccessfully attempted to broker a deal that would have seen US-led sanctions eased in return for denuclearisation.
Negotiations broke down over disagreements on sanctions relief in exchange for steps toward North Korea’s denuclearisation.
An aerial view during a ceremony for launching a “new multipurpose destroyer,”
Reuters
Since then, Kim has aligned himself more closely with Vladimir Putin and has pledged to develop a broad array of advanced weapons.
This military expansion continues despite two-thirds of North Korea’s population living below the poverty line.
