North Korea's state media reported that the Korean People's Army Navy conducted a successful test-firing of sea-to-surface strategic cruise missiles from its newly built 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon (hull number 51).
Leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch remotely from a command center, marking the second such test in the past week as part of operational trials before the ship's commissioning.
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Key Details:
- The Choe Hyon is the lead ship in a new class of multi-mission destroyers, launched in April 2025 at the Nampo shipyard on North Korea's west coast. It's the largest warship in the DPRK fleet, designed for nuclear-capable weapons, including cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
- Kim has called for building at least two such vessels annually to bolster naval power.
- Multiple missiles were fired, flying low over the sea for nearly three hours before striking island targets. State media described it as a demonstration of "powerful offensive capability" in wartime scenarios, with the missiles termed "strategic" to indicate potential nuclear warheads. This follows a similar test on March 4, amid heightened tensions with the US and South Korea.
- Footage shows Kim in a control room with officials and his daughter, monitoring screens and issuing commands via phone. He emphasized expanding nuclear deterrents and preparing the crew for deployment soon.
External shots depict the gray-hulled destroyer at dawn, launching missiles vertically with bright flames and smoke trails curving over calm waters.
No immediate responses from the US, South Korea, or UN, but it may prompt renewed sanctions discussions.
