North Korean leader inaugurates new destroyer as part of 'nuclear retaliation' system - Sarmad

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the launch ceremony of a new destroyer on the country’s eastern coast, stating that the vessel would be part of Pyongyang’s nuclear retaliation system and capable of launching “devastating retaliatory strikes” if ordered to do so.

North Korea is making strenuous efforts to modernize its naval forces, as Kim seeks to expand the country’s arsenal of forces capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

During the launch ceremony held in the coastal city of Wonsan in eastern North Korea, Kim said that deploying the new ship in the waters east of the Korean Peninsula sends a clear message to North Korea’s adversaries.

The agency quoted him as saying, “The time has come to exercise our sovereignty at sea and underwater.”

The agency further reported that the 5,000-ton destroyer “Kang Kon” is the second warship of its class to enter service, following the launch of the destroyer Cho Hyon on North Korea’s western coast about three months ago.

Kim stated that North Korea’s nuclear naval armament is advancing and that the country will continue to expand what he described as its strongest strategic assets in key waters to protect its maritime sovereignty and regional security.

He added that the destroyer “Kang Kon” will form part of the state’s nuclear retaliation system in North Korea.