North Korea’s Kim inspects naval base under construction

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un toured a naval base under construction on the eastern coast of his nation, state media announced on Thursday. The visit was described by KCNA as a "core undertaking" for the nation's maritime defense. Kim's presence at the site underscores the importance North Korea places on expanding its naval capabilities.

The leader's recent pledge to field the most advanced and powerful warships is being fulfilled through the rapid acceleration of naval construction. North Korea has been upgrading its navy with the commissioning of 5,000-tonne destroyers and testing ship-launched missiles. Kim has publicly stated ambitions to equip the fleet with nuclear weapons and construct 10,000-tonne warships.

During his inspection, Kim was seen walking among the construction workers and engaging in discussions with naval officials. The new naval base's precise location and size remain undisclosed. Earlier this week, North Korea test-fired a new high-speed torpedo system, expected to be operational by early 2027. Last year, the country unveiled a 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel, believed to be capable of launching both ship-to-surface and ship-to-air missiles.