North Korea’s Kim inspects naval base under construction

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, toured a naval base under construction along the eastern coast of the nation, according to state media reports on Thursday. The visit came after the leader had previously vowed to develop the most advanced and powerful warships, as the country accelerates its ambitious naval expansion. North Korea has been modernizing its navy in recent years, commissioning 5,000-tonne destroyers and testing ship-launched missiles.

The leader personally oversaw the construction of the new naval base, emphasizing that it is a core undertaking directly related to the security and maritime sovereignty of the state. He stressed that the base must be completed at the highest level of quality. Kim was seen walking around the seaside construction site, accompanied by naval officials, and speaking to them gathered around him.

The exact location and scale of the new naval base were not disclosed. On Monday, North Korea test-fired a new high-speed torpedo system, which is expected to enter service in early 2027. Last year, the nuclear-armed state unveiled a 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel, believed to be capable of carrying both ship-to-surface and ship-to-air missiles.