North Korea reveals advanced missile destroyer at grand ceremony

    
• North Korea introduced a new missile destroyer named Choe Hyon.
• The ship is expected to enhance air defense and anti-submarine capabilities.
• Kim Jong Un announced further development of the naval fleet.

The Choe Hyon is poised to strengthen North Korea's naval defense capabilities. The launch ceremony occurred at Nampho port, with the presence of Kim Jong Un and his daughter. The ship, with a displacement of 5,000 tons (approximately 11 million pounds), was built in a record time of about 400 days, utilizing exclusively North Korean technologies.

Equipped with advanced air defense systems, the new destroyer can combat submarines and surface vessels. It can be armed with strategic cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. Kim Jong Un emphasized that this vessel will bolster the ability to "accurately defend maritime sovereignty" and represents "an important step towards maritime power." He also announced plans to construct additional ships of this class and develop nuclear-powered submarines.

During the ceremony, Kim Jong Un accused the United States of conducting aggressive exercises simulating nuclear attacks on North Korea as part of joint operations with South Korea. He announced that his country would take appropriate countermeasures in response to these actions.

Experts quoted by the South Korean Yonhap agency highlighted the ship's equipment, which includes vertical launch systems, Aegis radar, and an advanced artillery system.

"In particular, the battleship seems to carry dozens of VLS cells capable of launching various types of missiles, including cruise missiles," stated Ju Jong Won, a member of the National Assembly and a former military reporter.

North Korea aims to develop platforms capable of conducting nuclear attacks from the sea.