Kim Jong Un Supervises Missile Tests from New Destroyer
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of multiple missiles from the country's new destroyer on Sunday, state media reported, as he emphasized expanding the nation's nuclear capabilities amid ongoing military developments.
According to the Korean Central News Agency and the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the launches occurred from the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon warship over waters off North Korea's western coast, known as the West Sea or Yellow Sea. Two strategic cruise missiles flew for more than two hours each, covering approximately 7,900 seconds along preset trajectories, while three anti-ship missiles traveled for over 30 minutes, or about 2,000 seconds, before striking their targets with what state media described as ultra-precise accuracy. The tests aimed to evaluate the destroyer's integrated weapons command system, train crews in launch procedures and verify the performance of upgraded navigation systems resistant to jamming.
Kim observed the drills alongside senior defense officials and naval commanders from a nearby pier, photographs released by state media showed, with one image capturing a missile streaking away amid trailing smoke. Following the...