Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency)
North Korea has test-fired a “strategic” cruise missile and other weapons from a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on July 5.
The state-run news agency said that the tests of a cruise missile, naval artillery, automatic guns and electronic warfare means from the Kang Kon destroyer on July 3 was overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, who ordered the warship to be commissioned into the country’s navy within two months.
Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency)
Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency)
Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency)
Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency)
Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency)
Click to see full-size image. (Korean Central News Agency)
Kang Kon is the second ship of Choe Hyon-class destroyers. Pyongyang launched the destroyer in June last year, about one month an incident was reported during its initial launch attempt. Two more destroyers of the same class are believed to be under construction.
The latest weapons tests were part of efforts to examine and confirm the ability to “apply various kinds of weapon systems on board the destroyer in combat,” according to KCNA.
Thew news agency noted that Kim urged increased efforts to strengthen the country’s war deterrent and combat capability.
Footage from the test shows the Kang Kon launching a salvo of12 cruise missile of an unidentified type, and firing other weapons, including its main 127 mm naval gun.
The South Korean military said on July 4 that it detected the North’s firing of a cruise missile from the warship toward the East Sea a day earlier, and Seoul and Washington are analyzing the specifics, according to Yonhap News.
North Korea made serious efforts to modernize its navy in recent years. In addition to Choe Hyon-class destroyers, the country is finalizing the construction of its first nuclear attack submarine.
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