North Korea Conducts Weapons Tests On New Warship
North Korea has carried out the first weapons test of its new 5,000-ton “Choe Hyon-class” warship, showcasing an array of missiles and artillery in a move leader Kim Jong Un says marks a turning point for the country’s naval capabilities. The tests included supersonic and cruise missiles, anti-aircraft weapons, and electronic jamming systems. Kim called the ship a major step in expanding the navy’s reach and pledged to accelerate efforts to arm the fleet with nuclear weapons, stating, “The time has come to make a responsible option for accelerating the nuclear armament of the navy.”
Kim watched the test-firing alongside top officials and praised the vessel’s mix of offensive power and conventional defenses. He also revealed ambitions to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine and said the destroyer would be deployed by early next year. The launch is part of a broader push to counter what Pyongyang claims are increasing threats from the U.S. and its allies. However, satellite images suggest the ship may still rely on tugboats, hinting at possible issues with its propulsion system.
This comes as North Korea confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine, reinforcing a growing military alliance with Moscow. South Korea and the U.S. have responded with joint military exercises and voiced concerns that the relationship could result in Russia transferring advanced weapons technology to North Korea.
