Kim Jong Un inspects the testing process of the destroyer 'Choe Hyun Ho' (Pyongyang Korean Central News Agency=Yonhap News) Kim Jong Un, chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, visited the Nampo Shipyard in South Pyongan Province on the 18th and inspected the integrated operation test of the armament system for North Korea's first 5,000-ton class new destroyer, the 'Choe Hyun Ho,' the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 19th. 2025.8.19

[For use only in the Republic of Korea. No redistribution. For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Soo-yoon = Kim Jong Un, chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, criticized the regular South Korea-U.S. combined exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), as the most hostile expression of intent towards North Korea and emphasized his resolve to strengthen nuclear power.

This clearly indicates that despite President Lee Jae-myung's gestures of reconciliation in his 80th Liberation Day address on the 15th, stating he would not pursue forced unification and urging North Korea's response, there will be no change in the existing confrontational stance.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 19th that on the 18th, the day 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' began, Kim visited the Nampo Shipyard in South Pyongan Province and inspected the integrated operation test of the armament system for North Korea's first 5,000-ton class new destroyer, the 'Choe Hyun Ho.'

He condemned the situation, stating, "The joint military exercises of the United States and South Korea, being carried out once again, are a clear manifestation of their intention to be most hostile and confrontational towards the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."

He further stated, "The deepening military collusion and military power demonstration acts by the U.S. and South Korea are the most explicit expression of intent to provoke war and are the source of the destruction of regional peace and security environment," adding, "The prevailing situation necessitates groundbreaking and rapid changes in our current military theory and practice, and a radical expansion of nuclear armament."

He continued, "While the customary U.S.-South Korea military exercises have always contained provocative elements and risks, their gravity is further increasing due to the recent tendency to plan military collusion that includes nuclear elements."

Kim Jong Un inspects the testing process of the destroyer 'Choe Hyun Ho' (Pyongyang Korean Central News Agency=Yonhap News) Kim Jong Un, chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, visited the Nampo Shipyard in South Pyongan Province on the 18th and inspected the integrated operation test of the armament system for North Korea's first 5,000-ton class new destroyer, the 'Choe Hyun Ho,' the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 19th. 2025.8.19

[For use only in the Republic of Korea. No redistribution. For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

In this context, he ordered the navy to play a crucial role in strengthening national defense capabilities.

Kim emphasized that enhancing the navy's operational capabilities is a "most crucial national task" and encouraged them, saying, "Our navy will become a reliable force that firmly assumes a vital role in the composition of national nuclear power and nuclear utilization areas in the near future."

He further stated, "Crucial measures for the accelerated development of national defense capabilities will undoubtedly continue to be taken," and emphasized, "Our firm will and ability to defend the sovereignty and security of our nation will be expressed through practical actions."

The news agency reported that Kim expressed satisfaction with the progress of "gradual and planned implementation of key tasks for the modernization and nuclear armament of the navy" while receiving a report on the Choe Hyun Ho.

The news agency also reported that Kim instructed that the process of evaluating the destroyer's performance and operational capabilities should move forward by October.

According to publicly released photos, Kim boarded the destroyer accompanied by Navy Commander Park Kwang-seop and personally inspected the crew's living quarters.

North Korean media meticulously blurred monitors in photos showing him inspecting the combat information room and bridge where the combat system is controlled, making it impossible to discern specifications.

Kim Jong Un inspects the testing process of the destroyer 'Choe Hyun Ho' (Pyongyang Korean Central News Agency=Yonhap News) Kim Jong Un, chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, visited the Nampo Shipyard in South Pyongan Province on the 18th and inspected the integrated operation test of the armament system for North Korea's first 5,000-ton class new destroyer, the 'Choe Hyun Ho,' the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 19th. 2025.8.19

[For use only in the Republic of Korea. No redistribution. For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

North Korea unveiled the 5,000-ton class new destroyer 'Choe Hyun Ho' on April 26.

Less than a month later, on May 21, a second destroyer of the same class was unveiled, but the ship ran aground during its launch ceremony, causing embarrassment. On June 12, the overturned ship was repaired, named 'Kang Gun Ho,' and a new launch ceremony was held.

On July 22, a plan was also announced to build additional new destroyers of the Choe Hyun class by October 10 of the following year.

North Korea's release of Kim Jong Un's strong remarks in conjunction with the start of the South Korea-U.S. combined exercises is interpreted as an attempt to boost anti-South Korea and anti-U.S. sentiment to foster internal unity, but also as a possible pressure tactic to demand the halt of the combined exercises from South Korea and the U.S., which are seeking dialogue with North Korea.

Kim Jong Un inspects the testing process of the destroyer 'Choe Hyun Ho' (Pyongyang Korean Central News Agency=Yonhap News) Kim Jong Un, chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, visited the Nampo Shipyard in South Pyongan Province on the 18th and inspected the integrated operation test of the armament system for North Korea's first 5,000-ton class new destroyer, the 'Choe Hyun Ho,' the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 19th. 2025.8.19

[For use only in the Republic of Korea. No redistribution. For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

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