North Korean leader oversees missile tests from naval destroyer
FILE-This picture taken on March 3, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 5, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) inspecting a shooting competition to mark the Korean People's Army's "Snipers
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided more missile tests from his new warship over the weekend as part of a plan to bolster the navy’s operational abilities with his collection of nuclear-capable weapons.
Kim monitored the launches of two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles from his 5,000-ton-class destroyer, the Choe Hyon.
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The cruise missiles flew for over two hours and the anti-ship missiles for more than 30 minutes along routes over the country’s western seas before hitting their targets, The Associated Press reported, citing Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s official newspaper.
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Following Sunday’s missile tests, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his government remained focused on the expansion of its nuclear forces and issued new tasks to boost the country’s nuclear attack and rapid-response capabilities.
The Associated Press noted that he also revisited plans for the weapons systems for his third and fourth destroyers that are being constructed, Rodong Sinmun reported.
Kim also directed two rounds of missile tests from the Choe Hyon in March, while pledging to speed up the nuclear armament of his navy.
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He has lauded the development of the Choe Hyon as a significant step toward enlarging the
operational reach and preemptive strike capabilities of his military.
Citing state media, the AP reported that the warship was created to carry a range of systems, including anti-air and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.
Last week, North Korea held tests that involved new weapons systems, including ballistic missiles complemented by cluster-bomb warheads.
Separately, Kim has postponed dialogue with the U.S. and Seoul since the flop of his diplomacy with President Donald Trump in 2019. According to the AP, Kim has since taken up a position to South Korea, now defining it as his "most hostile" adversary, while spurning U.S. offers to continue discussions as Trump entered his second term in the White House, encouraging the U.S. to drop its demand for denuclearization as a precondition.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, which cites Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s official newspaper. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.