North Korea announced on June 22 that it has commissioned a new 5,000-ton destroyer, as leader Kim Jong Un called for sustaining a pace of building two major warships annually under a five-year defense development plan through 2030.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim Jong Un as saying the commissioning of the new destroyer marks a significant step in modernizing the naval forces. He also emphasized the goal of constructing two large warships per year to enhance maritime defense capabilities.
This plan is part of North Korea's five-year defense strategy, focused on developing more advanced warships. The newly commissioned 5,000-ton destroyer is believed to be a multi-mission vessel equipped with modern weaponry.
South Korea's Ministry of Defense has not commented on the report. Military analysts suggest that North Korea's naval buildup could shift the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula.
