North Korea recently named its new destroyer Choe Hyon after the anti-Japanese guerrilla hero Choe Hyon, citing absolute loyalty to the leader as the reason and encouraging loyalty to Kim Jong Un.
On Thursday, the Workers’ Party’s newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that the launch ceremony of the country’s first new destroyer, Choe Hyon, left a deep impression on the entire nation. The paper emphasized that naming the ship after anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Choe Hyon was particularly impactful.
The newspaper recounted that the late Kim Il-sung had referred to Choe Hyon, his fellow guerrilla, as an invincible veteran who spent his life on the front lines defending the homeland and striking fear into two imperialist adversaries. He also stated that Choe Hyon‘s loyalty and bravery were unparalleled.
According to the report, Kim and Choe first met in September 1933 at Ma Village in the Sowangcheong Guerrilla Zone. While Choe wished to serve directly under Kim, he spent most of his life on the front lines, except for his later years when he assisted the great leader as Minister of People’s Armed Forces and in the State Council.
The Rodong Sinmun praised Choe Hyon as a revolutionary who held absolute loyalty to the leader as his life’s purpose. It claimed that Choe demonstrated true loyalty through his actions, leaving a valuable legacy for future generations not only as a battle-hardened veteran but also as a first-generation loyalist of the North Korean revolution.
The paper emphasized that today’s struggles and lives in North Korea revolve around faithfully supporting Kim Jong Un and implementing his directives. It called for unwavering loyalty to the leader and absolute compliance with his orders at all times, regardless of one’s position or circumstances.
On April 25, North Korea unveiled a new 5,000-ton multi-purpose destroyer named Choe Hyon. Despite Choe Hyon having no direct connection to the navy, the regime chose to name the vessel after him. Choe is also the father of Choe Ryung Hae, the current Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
This move appears to be an effort to encourage similar loyalty to Kim by highlighting the guerrilla comrades who were loyal to Kim Il-sung.
During the launch ceremony, Kim mentioned other military commanders from guerrilla backgrounds, including Kim Chaek, An Kil, Choe Hyon, and Kang Kon. He stated that future newly constructed destroyers would also bear the names of renowned fighters who made significant contributions to North Korea’s military history.