Seoul: North Korea appears to be speeding up the construction of its third 5,000-ton Choe Hyun-class destroyer, a South Korean lawmaker said Thursday, as Pyongyang has been seeking to strengthen its naval power.

According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the construction of another 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer by the ruling party's founding anniversary on Oct. 10, after the North launched two such warships last year. Large cranes and crane vessels were spotted under operation near the third warship at a shipyard in the western port city of Nampho, Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party said, citing satellite imagery taken March 12-28, by Vantor, a U.S.-based satellite intelligence company.

Yoo noted that North Korea appears to be in the latter process of building the vessel, with large cranes seemingly used for the lifting of superstructures, such as large blocks, radars, and weapon systems. Satellite imagery also showed signs of the first Choe Hyon destroyer being in preparations for deployment after its launch in April last year.

There are indications that the vessel's engine is operational, as exhaust gas is seen coming out of the exhaust port. Crane movements have been detected, suggesting additional weapons were installed on the warship. Yoo mentioned, "North Korea appears to be accelerating the modernization of its navy on the back of military technology assistance from Russia."