Kim Jong Un Orders Rapid Expansion of Naval Power
Kim Jong Un inspected the Nampho Shipyard and ordered the rapid modernization of naval facilities to build larger warships and increase combat power.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the Nampho Shipyard on the west coast to review the construction of a new warship and oversee infrastructural upgrades. Kim described the new vessel as incomparably huge and browbeating compared to a destroyer built the previous year. While not officially named, the ship is believed to be a ten-thousand-ton-class cruiser.
Citing hostile acts of enemies and the need to defend maritime sovereignty, Kim ordered a rapid buildup of surface and underwater combat power. He demanded the modernization of the shipyard through high levels of production automation and the construction of a second ground dock to enable simultaneous building and repair. He also called for a redesign of the facility's layout to increase efficiency.
This expansion follows the recent commissioning of the Kang Kon and Choe Hyon destroyers. The effort is part of a broader state strategy to deploy naval assets with nuclear capabilities and a plan to build two large warships of over 5,000 tons annually.
