Raw materials, plant construction North Korea commissioned a new 5,000-tonne-destroyer-class vessel, Choe Hyon. The unusual style of the ceremony included Kim Jong-un and his daughter, Ju Ae, amply showcasing their participation. The event took a disastrous turn. At least one part of the warship was damaged in the launch. Chongjin, a port city on the country’s eastern coast, is home to one of North Korea’s main shipyards. This attack has caused considerable alarm regarding North Korea’s military prowess and its recent partnerships with Russia.
Military analysts in South Korea have theorized that the creation of Choe Hyon was done with Russian help. Analysts suggest that this collaboration could be linked to North Korea’s commitment to deploy thousands of troops to aid Moscow in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This possible trade also highlights the geopolitical intrigue taking place as the storm rumbles through the region.
During the launch ceremony, Kim Jong-un witnessed the unfortunate accident, which he described as having “brought the dignity and self-respect of our state to a collapse.” He emphasized the importance of quickly restoring the destroyer, stating that it was “not merely a practical issue but a political issue directly related to the authority of the state.” This quote illustrates both the value he attaches to military pageantry as expressions of national pride and power.
Indeed, as recently as four days prior to the launch, commercial satellite imagery displayed the Choe Hyon sitting on the quay. Support vessels were in close proximity, should anything go wrong. Immediately following the accident, South Korean military documents began to leak indicating that the warship was on its side on the water’s surface. This raised valid questions about its state of operational readiness. In fact, North Korea went so far as to claim that the destroyer was carrying “the world’s most powerful weapons.” They announced plans for it to “enter into operation early next year.”
As a news hook, some defense analysts have speculated that Choe Hyon would be able to carry short-range tactical nuclear missiles on it. Misinformation on North Korea’s miniaturization claims North Korea has not yet demonstrated its ability to miniaturize its nuclear weapons. That capacity is arguably most important in deploying those weapons on surface combatants. Additionally, the launch site in Chongjin is logistically important, as it is located very near Russia’s Vladivostok port.