"Under the new five-year plan, we must properly implement the plan for building naval capabilities, constructing two new surface warships annually, including a 10,000-ton cruiser. We need to build new escorts and specialized vessels, as well as develop and manufacture underwater weapon systems," North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated at the commissioning ceremony for the Choe Hyon destroyer on 23/6.

Kim Jong-un assessed that in less than three years since North Korea began reforming its navy, the force "ended over 70 years of stagnation" and underwent rapid, noticeable changes. He noted that this effort "nearly started from scratch," as the navy was the weakest among North Korea's military branches.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the commissioning ceremony for the Choe Hyon destroyer on 23/6. Photo: KCNA

"The North Korean navy's role of defending national offshore waters is a thing of the past," Kim Jong-un said. "The North Korean navy has become a regular force fully equipped with strategic assets, as the program to equip this branch with nuclear weapons is proceeding as planned." This initiative, according to Kim Jong-un, will enable North Korea's nuclear forces to conduct diverse and effective operations, maintain proactive sea defense, and provide "powerful, reliable nuclear deterrence."

The Choe Hyon is the first vessel of its class, with a displacement of 5,000 tons, making it the largest in North Korea's history. North Korea classifies it as a destroyer, while Western experts evaluate it as a heavy missile frigate with a displacement comparable to advanced warships in Europe.

The Choe Hyon destroyer after its commissioning ceremony on 23/6. Photo: KCNA

The Choe Hyon was launched in 4/2025. The second vessel of the class, Kang Kon, experienced an incident during its launch in 5/2025. After resolving the issue, North Korea launched the Kang Kon in 6/2025.

Choe Hyon-class ships were initially equipped with 74 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, placed in two clusters fore and aft of the superstructure. Western military experts later suggested North Korea changed the configuration, reducing it to 68 VLS.

Before commissioning, the Choe Hyon underwent numerous tests under Kim Jong-un's supervision. On 12/4, the Choe Hyon test-fired anti-ship missiles and strategic cruise missiles, believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Nguyen Tien (According to KCNA, AFP)