Kim Jong Un inspected the new 5,000-ton destroyer, Choe Hyon-ho, in response to the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. While refraining from provocative actions such as ballistic missile launches or large-caliber artillery fire, he maintained a low-key stance. Analysts suggest that this approach emphasizes nuclear armament to influence U.S. and South Korean strategies in forthcoming talks.
According to the Tuesday edition of Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, Kim visited the newly commissioned destroyer on Monday. He characterized the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises as the clearest expression of war provocation, revealing the most hostile and confrontational posture toward North Korea.
The newspaper implied that Kim’s inspection of the destroyer and his strong statements were timed to coincide with the start of the joint exercises. However, North Korea did not carry out any significant military activities during Kim’s visit—such as missile launches or maneuvers—with the report only mentioning that he inspected the ship’s integrated weapon systems as well as the marines’ training and living conditions.
The U.S. and South Korea typically classify North Korean military actions as low-level provocations if they do not involve launches of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles during joint exercises. Kim’s inspection of the destroyer suggests that Pyongyang is keeping its response to the drills measured.
Instead, Kim stressed the importance of bolstering nuclear capabilities, indicating that North Korea’s diplomatic focus is on gaining recognition as a nuclear state. He stated that the nation’s security environment demands a proactive and overwhelming response, emphasizing the need for rapid changes in military doctrine and a significant expansion of nuclear armament.
Experts view these remarks as an attempt to preempt pressure for denuclearization in future talks with the U.S. and South Korea, seeing them as a reaffirmation of North Korea’s demand for nuclear power status.
Analysts believe that North Korea aims to influence the denuclearization discussions at the upcoming U.S.-South Korea summit on August 25.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that Kim’s comments on nuclear armament demonstrate a commitment to advancing nuclear weapons while strongly rejecting the denuclearization principles anticipated at the U.S.-South Korea summit.
North Korea is likely monitoring recent U.S. summits with Russia, Ukraine, and European nations to anticipate future U.S. actions and to assess potential negotiating strategies.
Some experts warn that if North Korea is dissatisfied with the outcome of the U.S.-South Korea summit, it may escalate tensions through higher-level provocations. With the 9th Workers’ Party Congress approaching later this year or early next year, North Korea needs to shift U.S. and South Korean attitudes in its favor in the coming months.
Internally, Kim’s inspection of the destroyer aligns with the final year of its Five-Year Defense Development Plan, showcasing naval strength as a key achievement aimed at expanding influence in both the East and West Seas. Kim emphasized that rapidly enhancing the navy’s operational capabilities is crucial due to the country’s unique geopolitical position.
Kim stated that the Choe Hyon-ho must complete the tasks scheduled for August and September, then proceed to performance and operational capability evaluations in October, indicating plans for the destroyer’s deployment by the end of the year.