North Korea’s Kim Orders Navy Ships to be Equipped with Nuclear Weapons

By Staff, Agencies

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered naval ships to be rapidly equipped with nuclear weapons, as Pyongyang conducts its first test firing of a new warship weapons system.

Earlier this week, North Korea carried out its initial test firing of the weapons system on the newly revealed "Choe Hyon-class" warship.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim oversaw the first day of a two-day weapons test of the destroyer on Wednesday.

He subsequently ordered officials to focus on speeding up the development of the navy's nuclear weapons capabilities.

North Korea has previously said that the vessel was equipped with the "most powerful weapons," and that it would "enter into operation early next year."

Experts suggest that, due to its size, the warship is likely equipped with both ship-to-surface and ship-to-air missiles.

KCNA reported that the April 29 test involved a “ship-to-ship tactical guided weapon, various kinds of ship-based automatic guns and smoke and electronic jamming guns,” utilizing the newly revealed vessel.

The North Korean leader says the country's ship-based firepower system is "effectively combined" with the "most powerful strike means including supersonic cruise missile, strategic cruise missile and tactical ballistic missile."

Since 2006, North Korea has been under crippling sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council over its nuclear capabilities.

North Korea says it is seeking nuclear weapons to counter threats from the United States and Washington’s allies, including South Korea.

In January, Kim warned of an "inevitable" confrontation with hostile nations and said 2025 would be a "crucial year" for bolstering North Korea's nuclear forces.