North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended trials for a strategic cruise missile and other weapons from aboard a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, ordering the warship to be commissioned into naval service within two months, the North's state media reported today, Sunday.
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According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim oversaw tests of a cruise missile, naval artillery weapons, automatic weapons, and electronic warfare means from aboard the destroyer Kang Kon.
The North Korean leader called for accelerating efforts to expand the country's war deterrent and its capability to fight a war.
The news agency quoted Kim as saying, "We will demonstrate through more obvious actions our political will and determination to possess absolute power."
It added that Kim issued instructions to complete the destroyer's testing process in a responsible manner and to place it into active service within two months.
Kim also convened an important consultative meeting to develop the warship building industry, KCNA reported, without disclosing further details.
In June of last year, North Korea launched the destroyer Kang Kon, about a month after it had capsized during its initial launch attempt.
The South Korean military announced today, Sunday, that it detected Pyongyang's firing of a cruise missile from the warship toward the East Sea last Friday, and Seoul and Washington are currently working to analyze the specifics of the launch.
KCNA reported that the recent weapons tests were part of efforts to examine and confirm the capability to apply various types of onboard weapon systems in combat.
Experts noted that the recently launched missile appears to be a cruise missile from the Hwasal series, indicating that North Korea aims to deploy such missiles on its new destroyers.
Pyongyang's reference to "strategic" weapons suggests that they could possess nuclear capabilities.
Last month, a 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer named Choe Hyon entered service.
It was announced that it will perform the "honorable mission" of defending the West Sea and deterring war.
