In a significant military development, North Korea has revealed its intention to build a 10,000-ton warship as part of a new five-year plan aimed at enhancing its naval forces. Kim Jong-un emphasized the need for the country to construct two new surface warships each year, including the large cruiser, during a ceremony for the commissioning of the Choe Hyon destroyer on June 23.

Kim noted that within less than three years of initiating naval reforms, North Korea's naval forces have undergone rapid and noticeable changes, marking an end to over 70 years of stagnation. He described the effort as starting from nearly zero, given that the navy has historically been the weakest branch of the country's military.

During the commissioning ceremony, Kim Jong-un stated, "The role of the navy in defending the offshore territory of the nation has become a thing of the past." He claimed that the North Korean navy has transformed into a fully equipped regular force, coinciding with the ongoing development of its nuclear weapons program.

This modernization initiative is expected to enhance the operational readiness of North Korea's nuclear forces, allowing for diverse and effective operations while maintaining a proactive stance in maritime defense and establishing a credible nuclear deterrent.

The Choe Hyon is the first of its class, boasting a displacement of 5,000 tons, making it the largest warship in North Korean history. While North Korea designates it as a destroyer, Western experts classify it as a heavy missile frigate, comparable in size to modern warships in Europe.

The Choe Hyon was launched in April 2025, and the second ship of the class, named Kang Kon, encountered issues during its launch in May 2025. After resolving the problems, North Korea successfully launched the Kang Kon in June 2025. Initially, the Choe Hyon was equipped with 74 vertical launch system (VLS) tubes, but experts later noted a reduction to 68 VLS tubes.

Before its commissioning, the Choe Hyon underwent several tests under Kim Jong-un's supervision, including missile launches targeting ships and strategic cruise missiles, which are believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.