Kim Jong Un says North Korea will arm its navy with nuclear weapons

Kim Jong Un wants North Korea's navy to become a nuclear-armed force, declaring that nuclear weapons systems must be usable in a real war in a versatile and effective way.

He made the remarks at the commissioning ceremony for the Kang Kon, the country's second modern destroyer in the 5,000-ton class. North Korea commissioned the Choe Hyon, its first destroyer in that class, three months earlier and has since conducted several weapons tests.

At the same time, South Korea, the United States and Japan began five-day joint military exercises near the South Korean island of Jeju. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff described the annual drills as defensive measures aimed at North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

North Korea regards such exercises as preparations for an offensive war. US President Donald Trump sharply reduced joint military exercises with South Korea in mid-August, citing his supposedly "very good relationship" with Kim and saying he expected to meet the North Korean leader later this year. Kim has not publicly responded to the offer.

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We must ensure that nuclear weapons systems can be used in a versatile and effective way for an actual war. To do this, we must develop our navy into a nuclear-armed force.