The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s state-run newspaper, reported on its front page on Tuesday that the Korean People’s Navy conducted test firings of strategic cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon.
The report detailed that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un personally observed the launch of two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles on April 12, accompanied by high-ranking defense officials. The exercises also included shipboard automatic cannon fire and evaluations of smoke screen deployment and electronic warfare capabilities.
Kim was briefed on the weapons systems for the third and fourth destroyers currently under construction. He reiterated that the continuous expansion and enhancement of nuclear deterrence remains a cornerstone of national defense policy and called for accelerated modernization of naval forces.
In a separate front-page article, it was reported that Kim sent 316.36 million JPY (approximately 2 million USD) in educational aid and scholarships to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan. This contribution, made ahead of the 114th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung on Wednesday, brings the total aid to 50.35 billion JPY (about 316 million USD) over 172 instances.
The second page featured a story on the Central Cadre School, where students are being groomed as the party’s elite. The paper emphasized their training to become vanguards in implementing party directives. It also announced the publication of the 38th expanded volume of the Kim Il Sung Collection, containing 23 speeches from September-October 1960 on party affairs, economy, defense industry, and agricultural policies.
A commemorative meeting for the 80th anniversary of the Korean Federation of Science and Technology was held on Monday at the People’s Palace of Culture. Key attendees included party secretary Kim Seung-du and Vice Premier Jeon Seung-guk, who stressed the importance of scientific and technological advancements in supporting the new five-year plan.
The third page announced the opening of Flower Festival 2026, celebrating Kim Il Sung’s birthday. Over 200 organizations, including central and local horticultural research and production units, participated, showcasing various flower species and sculptures.
Page 4 covered a visiting delegation from the Russian Federation of Independent Trade Unions. The fifth page reported on wrestler Kim Kwang Myung’s gold medal win in the 61 kg (about 134.5 lbs) freestyle category at the Asian Championships. It also noted the commencement of a 1,000-unit housing project in Hamhung and an exhibition of construction equipment.
The sixth page discussed Russia’s response to Western pressure and Japan’s support for Ukraine, while also reporting on foreign news about casualties from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.