SEOUL, July 5 - North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un observed the test firing of a strategic cruise missile and oversaw evaluations of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air defence systems aboard the naval destroyer Kang Kon, state media reported on Sunday.
The tests, carried out on Friday, formed part of an assessment of the newly constructed warship's combat systems. According to the report, the checks included examinations of target-detection and information-processing capabilities, integrated firepower systems, naval guns, automatic cannons and electronic warfare equipment.
Before viewing the missile launch and related trials, Kim was briefed on the vessel's weapons evaluation programme. The state account said he praised recent progress in weapons development and urged further efforts to strengthen North Korea's war deterrence and combat capabilities.
In addition to his remarks, Kim directed officials to finish the Kang Kon's trials and to commission the destroyer into naval service within two months.
Late last month, North Korea commissioned the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon and announced plans to deploy the Kang Kon, which is of the same class, as part of a broader naval modernisation campaign. Kim has also called for building two warships of that class each year for the next five years and set out plans for larger 10,000-ton warships.
The Kang Kon was repaired last year after it partially capsized during a launch ceremony. North Korean authorities have placed increased emphasis on naval development as they seek to reinforce what Kim has described as the armed forces' weakest branch.
Context and implications
The state account frames the recent testing activity as both a technical evaluation of onboard systems and a demonstration of ongoing weapons development. The orders to complete trials and the commissioning timeline underline an accelerated schedule for bringing the vessel into operational status.
What remains limited in the public account
The report provides an itemised list of systems checked and leadership directives but does not supply further technical specifics, such as exact test outcomes, timelines beyond the two-month commissioning target, or operational deployment details.