North Korea has conducted the first test-firing of the weapons system onboard its newly unveiled "Choe Hyon-class" warship, according to a report published by state media outlet KCNA on Wednesday.
The test included the launch of cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, and artillery rounds. The event was reportedly overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, alongside several high-ranking officials.
The test marks a significant step in the North's ongoing efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities. The new 5,000-tonne vessel, which was revealed earlier this week, is said to be equipped with what North Korean media described as the country’s “most powerful weapons”.
During the event, Kim Jong Un stated that the time had come for North Korea’s navy to accelerate its nuclear armament. He argued that such a move was vital for defending the country’s maritime sovereignty and enhancing national security.
The warship, which has been named after Choe Hyon, a historical anti-Japanese revolutionary figure, is expected to be officially commissioned into the North Korean navy early next year.
According to KCNA, the vessel is not only intended to reinforce maritime operations but also to symbolise a growing emphasis on strengthening the country’s naval forces as part of a broader military strategy.
The test-firing and the announcement come amid heightened regional tensions and increased scrutiny of North Korea’s military advancements, particularly in the fields of missile technology and nuclear capabilities.
So far, there has been no independent confirmation of the details reported by North Korean state media, and it remains unclear how advanced or operational the systems onboard the Choe Hyon-class ship truly are.
International observers are expected to monitor further developments closely, particularly any future tests or deployments linked to North Korea’s evolving naval ambitions.
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