North Korea reveals a 5,000-ton naval vessel modeled after Kim Jong Un

In a move that could escalate tensions in the Korean Peninsula, North Korea has launched a new multipurpose destroyer, named the Choe Hyon-class, marking a new era of naval strength according to North Korean state media.

The 5,000-ton vessel, equipped with the most powerful weapons, was built within 400-odd days using North Korea's own strength and technology, as stated by Jo Chun Ryong, a secretary in the ruling Workers' Party. The launch took place at the military shipbuilding dockyard of Nampho, with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, in attendance.

Kim Jong-un delivered a speech during the launch, expressing concern about the current security environment in North Korea and vowing to build a fleet for open-sea operations. He also thanked the workers and technicians for their efforts in constructing the new destroyer.

The new class of North Korean warship reportedly accommodates dozens of vertical launch cells to carry missiles. This development comes as Kim Jong-un stated that strong pre-emptive attack capabilities are the most "convincing war deterrent."

Kim Jong-un's daughter, Ju Ae, was also present at the launch, along with Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un, and other high-ranking officials.

The launch of the new destroyer comes amidst ongoing joint military drills between South Korea and the US, which North Korea condemns as a rehearsal for war. Seoul, however, maintains that these drills are purely defensive.

The US is reportedly deploying strategic assets in the Korean Peninsula on a regular basis, and a B-1B strategic bomber was used in a joint military drill between South Korea and the US earlier this month. Fighter jets were also involved in these drills.

In response to these military activities, Kim Jong-un warned that if the US continues to demonstrate military power, North Korea will have to renew its strategic deterrence.

Despite the lack of information about the speaker at the event for commissioning the new multipurpose destroyer on April 26, 2023, as reported by the KCNA news agency, the launch of the Choe Hyon-class destroyer underscores North Korea's commitment to strengthening its naval forces and its ongoing efforts to bolster its military capabilities.