North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared intentions to hasten the development of a nuclear-capable naval fleet and unveiled plans to create undisclosed underwater armaments in anticipation of a forthcoming visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During his presence on a 5,000-ton naval destroyer, Kim, alongside his prominently featured teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae, reportedly emphasized the need to swiftly enhance naval capabilities to bolster the country’s nuclear deterrence and deliver a decisive blow to potential threats underwater or on the surface. The state media highlighted Kim’s proposal for a new five-year defense strategy, which encompasses constructing larger 10,000-ton-class destroyers and crafting unspecified “underwater secret weapons.”
While the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not relay any explicit statements by Kim regarding Washington or Seoul during his inspection, tensions persist among the three nations concerning North Korea’s nuclear aspirations and the prolonged diplomatic standstill.
The announcement coincided with the confirmation from North Korean and Chinese state media of President Xi’s upcoming visit to North Korea, underscoring China’s efforts to fortify relations with its nuclear-armed neighbor.
Kim’s recent focus on forging ties with Russia, notably demonstrated through military support sent to aid Moscow’s involvement in Ukraine, signifies a strategic shift in his diplomatic approach.
Xi’s impending trip follows North Korea’s revelation, as assessed by South Korea’s military, of a new uranium-enrichment facility for manufacturing nuclear fuel. Kim’s commitment to expanding the country’s nuclear capabilities rapidly, as observed during his site visit, reflects his aspiration to solidify North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state ahead of Xi’s arrival.
Kang Kon, the second of two destroyers unveiled by North Korea last year, succeeded the Choe Hyon, a development lauded by Kim as a pivotal advancement in expanding the operational reach and preemptive strike potential of his nuclear-equipped military.
These vessels, as per state media reports, are designed to house various weapon systems, including anti-aircraft and anti-ship armaments, along with nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, although some experts have raised doubts about their operational effectiveness.
Following a setback during its launch ceremony in May last year, Kang Kon was reportedly repaired and relaunched in June, albeit questions linger among external experts regarding its full operational readiness. Kim has advocated for the construction of two additional 5,000-ton-class destroyers.
