Kim Jong Un has said North Korea’s navy will gain a “powerful offensive capability” as the country accelerates efforts to modernise its fleet and strengthen its maritime presence in the Pacific.

According to state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim made the remarks during a visit to the Nampho Shipyard, where he inspected a newly built 5,000-tonne destroyer and oversaw the launch of a strategic cruise missile from the vessel.

The warship, identified as the Choe Hyon-class destroyer, is the first in a planned series of similar vessels currently under construction. During the visit, Kim reiterated plans to rapidly expand the country’s naval capabilities.

“Every year during the new five-year plan period, we must build two surface warships of this class or a higher class,” Kim said, referring to the strategy adopted during the ruling party’s ninth congress.

KCNA reported that the North Korean leader spent two days inspecting the vessel—named Choe Hyon—while also reviewing plans for a third destroyer of the same class expected to be built at the shipyard.

The second ship in the series previously faced setbacks after a failed launch in May 2025, which reportedly led to the detention of several officials involved in the project. The vessel was later repaired and successfully relaunched in June.

Kim expressed satisfaction with the progress of what he described as the nuclear armament of North Korea’s navy, part of a broader military modernisation effort he says is necessary in response to what Pyongyang calls provocations by the United States and its allies.