Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a test-firing of strategic cruise and anti-warship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon, emphasizing the nation's priority to enhance its nuclear war deterrent "without limit," state media reported Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea launched two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-warship missiles from the naval destroyer on Sunday as part of an "operational efficiency test," reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This follows similar missile tests conducted in March from the 5,000-ton warship, also observed by Kim. The term "strategic" in Pyongyang's reports suggests potential nuclear capabilities. During the test, Kim stated that the army's strategic preparedness has been strengthened qualitatively with recent advancements in defense science.
He reiterated the importance of "bolstering up the powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent steadily and without limit" as the nation's most crucial priority. State media images showed Kim overseeing the test from a pier with key military officials.
The cruise missiles were reported to have flown for 7,869-7,920 seconds and the anti-warship missiles for 1,960-1,973 seconds along preset flight orbits above the Yellow Sea, achieving "ultra-precision hit accuracy," according to KCNA. The test aimed to verify the launching control line of the warship's integrated weapon command system and confirm the "accuracy and the rate of hits of the improved active anti-jamming navigation system."
Kim outlined the task of further strengthening the country's strategic and tactical attack capabilities, as well as enhancing the "prompt response posture." Details of the briefing included plans for the weapon systems of destroyers No. 3 and No. 4, currently under construction. South Korea's military noted detecting multiple cruise missile flights from the Yellow Sea near North Korea's western coastal city of Nampho on Sunday morning.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that South Korea and the United States are closely monitoring North Korea's military movements, maintaining a robust combined defense posture to respond to any provocation. South Korea's unification ministry suggested the missile test aligns with North Korea's five-year defense plan unveiled at a key party congress in February.
A ministry official speculated the test could be the final check of the weapons system before the Choe Hyon is delivered to the Navy. Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), suggested the disclosure of the launch might be an attempt to demonstrate military strength amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
In April last year, North Korea unveiled the Choe Hyon destroyer to modernize its naval power. Following the launch of another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, in June 2025, Kim ordered the construction of a third destroyer of the same class by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's founding anniversary on Oct. 10.