North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen live-fire tests of a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other armaments from the newly commissioned 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon.
State media reported that the drills were conducted directly from the vessel, marking a significant escalation in the country’s maritime military capabilities.
The tests highlight Pyongyang’s ongoing push to build a nuclear-powered naval force capable of projecting power beyond its immediate borders.
The Kang Kon, one of the largest warships in North Korea’s fleet, is designed to carry out long-range strikes and support submarine operations.
This development comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with North Korea continuing to advance its missile and nuclear programs despite international sanctions.
The live-fire tests from a naval platform represent a new dimension in the country’s military strategy, potentially complicating regional security dynamics.