North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae stand at the bow of the newly launched Choe Hyon destroyer as thousands of troops and officials gather along the waterfront in Nampho Shipyard on Friday. (Yonhap)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae stand at the bow of the newly launched Choe Hyon destroyer as thousands of troops and officials gather along the waterfront in Nampho Shipyard on Friday. (Yonhap)
Kim delivers a nationally televised speech beside the North Korean flag, declaring the destroyer’s launch a step toward expanding naval deterrence on Friday. (Yonhap)
Kim delivers a nationally televised speech beside the North Korean flag, declaring the destroyer’s launch a step toward expanding naval deterrence on Friday. (Yonhap)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over the launch of a new 5,000-ton destroyer on Friday in Nampho Shipyard, underscoring his ambition to transform the country into a maritime power capable of extended-range operations.

The destroyer, named Choe Hyon after a revered anti-Japanese revolutionary figure, was revealed during a high-profile ceremony marking the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim and Ju-ae walk past rows of applauding naval officers following the launch ceremony at Nampho Shipyard on Friday. (Yonhap)
Kim and Ju-ae walk past rows of applauding naval officers following the launch ceremony at Nampho Shipyard on Friday. (Yonhap)

Attending the event with his daughter Ju-ae and senior military leadership, Kim toured the vessel and delivered a speech highlighting the ship’s role in countering what he described as intensifying military threats from the United States and South Korea.

KCNA reported the warship is equipped with systems for air defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-ballistic missile missions, and will be capable of launching both supersonic strategic cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. It is expected to be formally handed over to the navy early next year.

Fireworks erupt next to the destroyer’s hull marked “51” as part of celebrations marking the launch of the 5,000-ton warship on Friday. (Yonhap)
Fireworks erupt next to the destroyer’s hull marked “51” as part of celebrations marking the launch of the 5,000-ton warship on Friday. (Yonhap)
The Choe Hyon is seen docked amid confetti, troops, and military fanfare during its official unveiling ceremony in Nampho on Friday. (Yonhap)
The Choe Hyon is seen docked amid confetti, troops, and military fanfare during its official unveiling ceremony in Nampho on Friday. (Yonhap)

Calling the destroyer a "starting point" for building a blue-water navy, Kim pledged to accelerate the development of similar ships, cruisers, and nuclear-powered submarines.

He also denounced recent US-South Korea military drills and their updated wartime operational plans as provocative and dangerous, vowing that Pyongyang would respond with corresponding countermeasures.


mjh@heraldcorp.com