The new North Korean destroyer Choe Hyon has officially joined the navy after completing a 14-month operational capability evaluation.
The state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Wednesday that the commissioning ceremony for the destroyer was held at Nampo Port on Tuesday. The paper dedicated its first three pages to coverage of the event.
According to the report, the destroyer Choe Hyon will join the West Sea Fleet of the Korean People’s Army Navy, following orders from the Central Military Commission. Its primary mission will be to defend North Korea’s western maritime border and serve as a deterrent against potential threats.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the significance of the event, stating that today marks a historic moment as our nation’s first destroyer takes its place in the territorial waters, ready to safeguard the maritime sovereignty and interests. He added that the commissioning of this vessel demonstrates the rapid advancement of North Korea’s naval capabilities, solidifying its position as a core component of the country’s armed forces.
To celebrate the Choe Hyon’s commissioning, the navy hosted a banquet. Kim remarked that in just three years since we pledged to transform the navy, they’ve ended over seven decades of stagnation. He also noted that the current challenge is a positive one: it needs to construct new facilities to accommodate these large combat vessels, hinting at plans for expanding naval infrastructure.
In other news, Rodong Sinmun reported on page 4 that a delegation of students from the Chosen High School in Japan arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday. The same page featured reactions from officials to the recent 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 9th Central Committee. Notably, regarding plans to modernize the coal industry, the paper stated that the nation’s coal mines are bustling with activity, resembling a hive of productivity.
Weather forecasts on page 5 predicted rain and scattered showers across most areas, particularly in the southern regions, due to a low-pressure system and unstable atmospheric conditions on Thursday.
Page 6 covered a gathering held in observance of June 25 Anti-U.S. Imperialism Struggle Day, marking the anniversary of the Korean War’s outbreak. A speaker from the Central Class Education Hall warned that the ongoing military exercises conducted by the U.S. and its allies near the borders, coupled with their relentless sanctions and psychological warfare, serve as a stark reminder. If it lets the guard down or fail to maintain the strong self-defense capabilities, it risks repeating the painful chapters of the history.
The newspaper also reported on the opening of a themed art exhibition focusing on class education at the Pyongyang International Cultural Hall on Tuesday.
