Destroyer of North Korea fires missiles in recent test
North Korea's Naval Advancements: No Mercy on Missile Tests
Tensions are brewing on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, inspected the testing of supersonic and strategic cruise missiles from a new 5,000-ton guided-missile destroyer. According to The Associated Press, this warship—the largest and most advanced vessel North Korea has ever built—is equipped with nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, sending chills down the spines of global leaders.
The launch of the Choe Hyon-class destroyer, officially held on April 25, 2025, was completed in an astonishing 400 days, showcasing North Korea's determination to boost its naval nuclear attack capabilities. Kim Jong Un acknowledged the vessel's impressive combination of powerful strike weapons and conventional defenses, and set tasks to speed up the nuclear-arming of his navy.
During a prior ceremony for the ship, Kim emphasized the need to establish a "Kim Jong Un-style fleet" that could operate beyond coastal waters, marking a shift from defensive to power-projection naval strategies. This transition reflects North Korea's ambition to expand its operational strike range and preemptive strike potential, potentially targeting regional U.S. bases or allies.
In fact, Kim Jong Un has made it clear that a nuclear-powered submarine is the next big step in strengthening his navy. While no timeline has been provided, the pursuit of advanced undersea nuclear delivery systems reveals Pyongyang's intent to amplify its stealth and endurance.
Animosities on the Korean Peninsula are escalating as North Korea continues its weapons displays and expands military cooperation with Russia. On Monday, North Korea confirmed it had sent combat troops to Russia to support its war efforts against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude and promised not to forget the sacrifices made by North Korean soldiers in Russia.
The U.S., South Korea, and their partners fear that North Korea has been supplying a vast amount of conventional weapons to Russia, which stand to reciprocate with high-tech weapons technologies that can enhance North Korea's nuclear program and provide other military and economic assistance.
Asymmetric deterrence is a key component of North Korea's broader nuclear doctrine, and the rapid development of the Choe Hyon-class underscores Pyongyang's focus on this strategy, despite skepticism from experts about the country's ability to sustain such programs without external assistance.
In essence, North Korea's navy is moving toward integrated nuclear strike capabilities at sea, with recent tests and new hardware reflecting a deliberate push to offset U.S. military dominance in the region.
- The launch of North Korea's Choe Hyon-class destroyer, a nuclear-capable vessel equipped with both ballistic and cruise missiles, has been met with concerns from global leaders due to its potential to strengthen their defense capabilities.
- General news and war-and-conflicts reports have focused on Kim Jong Un's ambition to expand North Korea's operational strike range, including the pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine as the next step in strengthening his navy.
- North Korea has been reported to have sent combat troops to Russia to support its war efforts against Ukraine, an action that has been met with gratitude from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Politicians and military analysts are closely watching North Korea's naval advancements as they appear to be targeting regional U.S. bases or allies in a shift from defensive to power-projection naval strategies.
- In response to North Korea's weapons displays and military cooperation with Russia, the U.S., South Korea, and their partners fear that North Korea may be receiving high-tech weapons technologies in return for supplying a vast amount of conventional weapons.
