North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees weapons tests aboard the newly built 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon, according to reports citing the Korean Central News Agency. The testing takes place on Friday, and state media says Kim observes launches of a strategic cruise missile and trials of other onboard systems. These include naval artillery, automatic machine guns, and “electronic warfare means,” described as part of efforts to verify the destroyer’s combat capability and the ability to apply multiple weapon systems while at sea.
State media also links the tests to the destroyer’s commissioning timeline. One report says Kim orders the warship to be commissioned into the Navy within two months, following a “trial process.” The Kang Kon had previously tipped over during its initial launch attempt last year, but was later repaired.
The latest testing occurs less than two weeks after the commissioning of another 5,000-tonne destroyer, the Choe Hyon, also reported by KCNA-linked outlets. Across the coverage, Kim’s remarks are presented as reaffirming a drive to speed up war deterrence and the country’s capacity to fight a conflict.
