North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remotely observed a cruise missile test launch from the destroyer Choe Hyon Ho on the 10th, according to Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the 11th. His daughter, Ju Ae, also remotely observed the test launch that day. [Yonhap News]

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remotely observed a strategic cruise missile test launch from the new 5,000-ton class destroyer 'Choe Hyon Ho', which is set to be commissioned.

KCNA reported on the 11th that the strategic cruise missile test launch of the Choe Hyon Ho was conducted the previous day, and that Kim Jong Un observed it remotely.

The agency released several photos showing Kim Jong Un sitting in what appeared to be a control room, looking at a screen displaying missile launch footage, and seemingly receiving reports via phone.

On this day, his daughter Ju Ae, dressed in a leather jacket, watched the same screen next to Kim Jong Un. Ri Il Hwan and Kim Jae Ryong, secretaries and members of the Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, stood behind them and observed together.

Kim Jong Un had previously observed a strategic cruise missile test launch of the Choe Hyon Ho on-site on April 4th. He did not bring Ju Ae with him at that time.

North Korea conducts cruise missile test launch of 'Choe Hyon Ho'... Kim Jong Un observes remotely [Pyongyang KCNA=Yonhap News]

KCNA claimed that the missile launched this time flew along its trajectory over the West Sea for 10,000 to 11,138 seconds (2 hours, 48 minutes, 36 seconds to 2 hours, 48 minutes, 58 seconds) before hitting a target island.

Photos released by the agency showed what appeared to be multiple missiles being launched in succession from the Choe Hyon Ho.

Yang Moo Jin, a distinguished professor at the University of North Korean Studies, estimated the missile's range to be 2,000 to 2,500 kilometers, analyzing that "in terms of range, it is more for striking overseas US military bases rather than for South Korea, and in terms of timing, it is a response to the ROK-US joint exercises."

With such a range, even US military bases in Japan would be within striking distance. The ROK and US military authorities have been conducting the defensive joint exercise 'Freedom Shield' (FS) since the 9th in preparation for potential contingencies on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding this test launch, Kim Jong Un expressed "great satisfaction with the confirmation of the reliability of the integrated command system of the state strategic weapon and the superiority of its combined combat system," KCNA reported.

He further emphasized, "The components of our war deterrence are continuously being incorporated into a highly sophisticated operational system effectively and at an accelerated pace, and the national nuclear force has entered a phase of multi-faceted operation."

He added, "Significant achievements have been made recently in practicalizing and operationalizing strategic and tactical strike means," and "Confidence and assurance based on verified capabilities allow us to seize the initiative in military activities for national defense."

Shin Jong Woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, stated, "While the Choe Hyon Ho cruise missile launch on April 4th appears to have been a test projectile launch for a cold launch test, this time it seems to have been a live-fire exercise as it hit a target," adding that "the operation of the combat command system for the first time is also noteworthy."

North Korea conducts cruise missile test launch of 'Choe Hyon Ho'... Kim Jong Un observes remotely [Pyongyang KCNA=Yonhap News]

Kim Jong Un also gave specific instructions regarding the ship's weapon deployment and mentioned an 8,000-ton class destroyer for the first time.

Kim Jong Un stated that the effectiveness of the ship's automatic cannons should be reviewed, adding, "It is more advantageous to equip automatic cannons on high-speed maneuverable ships under 3,000 tons and to deploy supersonic weapon systems in place of automatic cannons on 5,000-ton and 8,000-ton class destroyers, thereby enhancing ship-to-ship and strategic attack capabilities in line with the operational characteristics of the ships."

On March 3rd, after observing the navigation test of the Choe Hyon Ho, Kim Jong Un stated that "ships of this class and above will be built at a rate of two per year during the new five-year plan period," but did not specify the exact size.

The Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers operated by the ROK Navy weigh 8,200 tons.

Kim Jong Un also presented tasks related to strengthening naval power, including plans for evaluating the operational capabilities of anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and torpedo weapon systems and then delivering the ship to the navy, constructing new destroyers before the anniversary of the Party's founding this year, and building infrastructure for naval bases.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "Our military has been closely monitoring related developments, and we are analyzing the details."

North Korean destroyer Choe Hyon Ho launches missile with flag raised [Pyongyang KCNA=Yonhap News]

The Choe Hyon Ho, named after the father of Choe Ryong Hae, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, is North Korea's first new 5,000-ton class destroyer, launched by North Korea on April 25th of last year.

According to KCNA photos, the flag hoisted on the bow of the Choe Hyon Ho bears the date of the launch ceremony and the hull number.