North Korea carried out another round of missile tests on Sunday, launching strategic cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles from its naval destroyer Choe Hyon as part of operational efficiency trials. Leader Kim Jong Un observed the exercises alongside senior defense officials and naval commanders, underscoring the importance of the tests.
The warship fired two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles to evaluate the integrated weapons command system, train crews in missile-launch procedures, and verify the accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities of upgraded navigation systems. The cruise missiles flew for approximately 7,869 to 7,920 seconds, while the anti-ship missiles were in flight for about 1,960 to 1,973 seconds over waters off North Korea’s western coast, hitting their targets with what was described as ultra-precision accuracy.
In a significant development, Kim Jong Un was briefed on plans for two additional destroyers currently under construction, signaling preparations for the third and fourth vessels in the Choe Hyon class. He emphasized that strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrent remains a top priority and called for improvements in strategic and tactical strike capabilities along with rapid-response readiness.
Pyongyang first test-fired weapons from the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer in April 2025. In June, Kim announced intentions to build two more destroyers in 2026 and to commission two ships annually of the same or a more advanced class. Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University, noted that the mention of a fourth destroyer marks the first official confirmation of construction beyond previous announcements. He suggested that North Korea is accelerating the formation of a destroyer flotilla rather than deploying isolated platforms, with faster production typically following successful initial testing.
Lim also observed that weapons development is advancing rapidly on multiple fronts as North Korea seeks to capitalize on global strategic distractions, including the conflict in the Middle East, to push forward irreversible progress in nuclear and missile delivery capabilities. Meanwhile, the North Korean embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
