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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a series of weapons tests aboard the country’s newly built 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon, state media reported on Sunday, as Pyongyang presses ahead with plans to build a nuclear-capable navy.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim observed Friday’s tests from shore before ordering officials to complete the vessel’s remaining sea trials and commission it into active service within two months.
The exercises included the launch of a nuclear-capable strategic cruise missile, live-fire drills involving the ship’s main gun and automatic cannons, and assessments of its electronic warfare systems, target-detection equipment and combat information-processing capabilities.
The Kang Kon was repaired after being damaged during a failed launch ceremony in May last year. It was officially relaunched in June, although outside analysts have questioned whether the destroyer is fully prepared for operational deployment.
The latest drills come just weeks after North Korea commissioned its first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, in late June. At the commissioning ceremony, Kim declared that efforts to establish a nuclear-armed navy were progressing as planned.
North Korea has increasingly expanded its naval modernisation programme in recent years, complementing its long-standing ballistic missile development with new investments in maritime strike capabilities.
Kim has previously announced plans to build two new 5,000-ton destroyers annually over the next five years, while also pursuing the development of a larger 10,000-ton warship and a nuclear-powered submarine.
The military build-up has drawn close attention from neighbouring countries and Western governments. South Korean officials and defence analysts believe Russia may have provided technical assistance in the construction of the new destroyers as defence cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has deepened.
However, some military experts remain sceptical about the ships’ true combat capability, arguing that North Korea has yet to demonstrate that the vessels can effectively operate the advanced weapons systems they are intended to carry.