North Korea’s Naval Expansion Plan

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized the urgent need for a significant boost in naval power during a recent speech, proposing that the nation should construct two large warships annually over the next five years.

At the commissioning ceremony for a new destroyer, Kim indicated, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), that these warships should match the size of the Choe Hyun class, which weighs around 5,000 tons.

Kim celebrated the new multi-purpose destroyer’s deployment at Nampo Port. This vessel was previously seen conducting missile tests, which included firing two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles.

The KCNA reported that the destroyer successfully completed military trials over the past 14 months.

Previously, Kim has touted the development of the Choe Hyun as a vital step to extend North Korea’s military capabilities and enhance its potential for first-strike operations.

He further stated that the navy’s nuclear capabilities are evolving independently and are reinforcing the nation’s nuclear deterrence.

This naval expansion effort comes as Kim seeks to reinforce what analysts have long viewed as a relatively weaker segment of North Korea’s military.

In recent discussions, Kim mentioned plans to deploy a 5,000-ton class destroyer named Kangkong, alongside a larger strategic ship weighing 10,000 tons. The Kangkong had been previously unveiled but faced setbacks due to damage in an earlier launch that required repairs.

With these new additions, Kim expressed confidence that the North Korean navy would soon become “astounding beyond imagination.”

He also mentioned the necessity of modernizing naval bases, indicating that this has become a critical task, and state media hinted at plans for building a new naval base.

During a recent Workers’ Party meeting, Kim noted that the navy’s role and operational scope are set to change, although he did not provide specifics on what those changes might look like.