North Korea launched cruise and anti-air missiles from its new warship earlier this week. Leader Kim Jong Un said the “Choe Hyon-class” warship will be deployed next year.
North Korean’s state news agency KCNA on Wednesday said the country conducted its first test-firing of its new “Choe Hyon-class” warship earlier this week.
Leader Kim Jong Un and other officials attended the test, where supersonic and strategic cruise as well as anti-air missiles were launched.
The 5,000-ton warship was named after anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Choe Hyon.
Ship to be deployed next year
KCNA reported that Kim was impressed by the ship’s powerful strike and conventional defenses and said it will be deployed next year.
He also said the time had come for “accelerating the nuclear armament of the navy” for maritime sovereignty and for the sake of national defense.
The North Korean leader said the country’s ship-based firepower system “effectively combined” with the “most powerful strike means including supersonic cruise missile, strategic cruise missile and tactical ballistic missile.”
He said acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine would be the next big step.
Source: DW
