Kim Jong Un calls for 2 large warships a year in spaceship expansion plan: report
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday called for a major expansion of the country’s navy, suggesting the regime should build two large warships every year for the next five years.
Speaking at a commissioning ceremony for the new destroyer, Kim suggested that North Korea should build two warships the size of its 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer each year for the next five years, according to the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim was celebrating the deployment of a multi-purpose destroyer at Nampho port. In April, he saw the launch of two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles from the ship.
The destroyer successfully completed a military operational test 14 months ago, according to KCNA.
KIM JONG UN PRESENTS THE LAUNCH OF A NEW CRUISE MISSILE FROM NORTH KOREA’S NEW WAR.
North Korea launched two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon, on April 12, according to North Korean state media. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)
Kim previously praised the Choe Hyon development as a major step to expand the operational reach and strike capabilities of the North Korean military.
Kim also said that the navy’s nuclear weapons development is “continuing in its own way,” contributing to the nuclear ban.
The naval build-up comes as Kim seeks to strengthen what analysts have long considered one of the weakest branches of North Korea’s military.
NORTH KOREA IS LAUNCHING A LIFETIME WAR THAT IS A SHAMEFUL FAILURE WHEN IT IS FIRST INTRODUCED.
The new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon during a commissioning ceremony at the port of Nampho, North Korea, on Tuesday. (KCNA via REUTERS)
KCNA reported that Kim intends to deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, and 10,000-ton warships.
The Kang Kon was first launched in May last year but was damaged during a failed launch in the northern port of Chongjin. The ship is relaunched following repairs.
By adding new capabilities, North Korea’s navy will be “unimaginable,” Kim said.
NORTH KOREA RELEASES PHOTOS OF NUCLEAR SUBMARIE DEVELOPMENT
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a commissioning ceremony for the new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon at the port of Nampho, North Korea, on Tuesday. (KCNA via Reuters)
“Building a modern military base is already a difficult and important task,” he added.
State media reported that Kim is also reviewing plans to build new naval bases.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a cruise and anti-ship missile launch from the destroyer Choe Hyon, April 12. (Korean Central News Agency/Reuters)
Speaking at a meeting of the Workers’ Party’s Central Committee on Monday, Kim said the navy will face changes in its status, role and scope of operations.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
He did not elaborate on what those changes would entail.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman-Diamond and Reuters contributed to this report.
