Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, observed the first armed test firing conducted three days after the launch of the new multipurpose destroyer 'Choi Hyun Ho,' and ordered to accelerate the navy's nuclear armament.
On the 30th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that the Missile Bureau, the Defense Science Institute, and the Propagation Electronics Warfare Bureau had begun tests on the performance and combat applicability of the weapon systems mounted on the destroyer Choi Hyun Ho. On the 28th, test launches of supersonic cruise missiles, strategic cruise missiles, and anti-aircraft (anti-air) missiles were conducted from Choi Hyun Ho. The following day, tests continued with anti-ship tactical guided weapons, various shipboard automatic cannons, smoke and electronic jamming shells.
The Korean Central News Agency noted that Kim Jong Un highly evaluated the swift initiation of performance tests for the weapons systems while observing the test launch and instructed that the weapon systems be completed for integrated operations in a short time.
Kim Jong Un also said, "It is a serious task for our shipbuilding sector to realize the multifunctionality and multipurpose of the ship at a higher level by constantly improving the equipment level of offensive and defensive complex systems that have incorporated new generation advanced technologies." He added, "It is time to make a responsible choice to accelerate the navy's nuclear armament for national defense against current and prospective threats and to safeguard maritime sovereignty."
Kim Jong Un instructed on various tasks, but specific details were not disclosed. He observed the first test launch with officials from the Missile Bureau, the Defense Science Institute, and the Nampo Shipyard, accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae, Jang Chang Ha, head of the Missile Bureau, Kim Jung Sik, a member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party, and Jo Chun Ryong, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party.
North Korea launched the new 5,000-ton (t) destroyer Choi Hyun Ho on the 25th. In the released photos, Choi Hyun Ho is equipped with phased array radar, earning it the classification of a North Korean version of an EGIS destroyer. It is also equipped with various missile launchers, including cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.