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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday called for a major expansion of the country’s navy, suggesting the regime should build two large warships each year for the next five years.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of a new destroyer, Kim suggested North Korea should build two warships equal in size to its 5,000-ton Choe Hyeon-class frigate every year for the next five years, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim was celebrating the deployment of a new multi-role destroyer at the port of Nampho. In April, he observed the launch of two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles from the ship.
According to KCNA, the destroyer successfully completed military operational trials over the past 14 months.
Kim Jong Un monitors cruise missile launch from prized new North Korean warship
According to North Korean state media, North Korea launched two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon on April 12. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)
Kim previously described the development of Choe Hyon as a major step toward expanding the North Korean military’s operational reach and preemptive strike capabilities.
Kim also said the navy’s denuclearization is “moving forward on its path,” contributing to the country’s nuclear deterrence.
The naval buildup comes as Kim seeks to strengthen what analysts have long viewed as one of the weakest branches of North Korea’s military.
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The new multi-role destroyer Choe Hyon during its commissioning ceremony at North Korea’s Nampho port on Tuesday. (KCNA via Reuters)
KCNA reported that Kim intends to deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, along with 10,000-ton large strategic warships.
Kang Kon was first unveiled in May last year, but it was damaged during a failed launch in the northern port city of Chongjin. The ship was later relaunched after repairs.
By adding new capabilities, North Korea’s navy will become “something incredible beyond imagination,” Kim said.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the commissioning ceremony of the new multi-purpose destroyer Choe Hyon at the North Korean port of Nampho on Tuesday. (KCNA via Reuters)
“Construction of a modern naval base has emerged as a difficult and urgent task,” he said.
State media reported that Kim is also reviewing plans to build a new naval base.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes test-fired strategic cruise and anti-war missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon on April 12. (Korean Central News Agency/Reuters)
Speaking during a meeting of the Workers’ Party Central Committee on Monday, Kim said the navy would change its status, role and scope of operations.
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He did not elaborate on what those changes would be.
Greg Norman-Diamond of Fox News Digital and Reuters contributed to this report.
