North Korea to build two warships annually for next five years, Kim says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has mandated a significant expansion of the nation's naval capabilities, ordering the construction of two large warships, comparable to the 5,000-metric-ton Choe Hyon destroyer, each year for the next five years. The directive came during the official commissioning ceremony for the Choe Hyon destroyer at Nampho port.

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two warships as large as its 5,000-metric-ton Choe Hyon vessel every year in the next five years

Kim highlighted the Choe Hyon's successful completion of military operational tests over the past 14 months. He also announced plans to deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, soon, alongside 10,000-ton strategic warships. The Kang Kon had previously undergone repairs after partially capsizing during its launch ceremony last year.

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Building a modernised naval base has emerged as a desperate and essential task

The leader stressed that the navy, long considered the weakest branch of North Korea's military, is now poised for "something incredible beyond imagination." He declared that building a modernized naval base is a "desperate and essential task," with officials from the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee discussing plans for new naval bases. Kim indicated that the navy's nuclearization is progressing, contributing to the country's overall nuclear deterrence.

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its capabilities would now be 'something incredible beyond imagination'