North Korea commissions two advanced nuclear-capable destroyers

The ship and the Choe Hyon, commissioned in June, are both 5,000-tonne destroyers equipped with nuclear-capable missiles, making them North Korea’s most advanced warships.

In a speech at the ceremony, Kim said the destroyers’ back-to-back commissioning instilled fear in the enemies as the nuclear armament of North Korea’s navy made it possible to exercise its nuclear deterrent in a more diversified, practical manner.

“Concerns of the enemies will be surely deepened,” Kim said. “We must establish more clearly a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent, to put into practice the diverse and effective operation of our nuclear combat systems and further strengthen our military activities for maritime defence and war deterrence.”