One of the key directions of military development outlined at the most recent Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in 2025 was the construction of a modern naval fleet.

 

Until recently, the North Korean Navy could be described as a “mosquito fleet,” with its development and operational strategy based on the assumption of total enemy superiority — namely, the United States and South Korea — in both the air and at sea. Accordingly, the focus was placed on small vessels (up to frigate class), and the large number of submarines that South Korean propaganda used to alarm readers were, in reality, semi-submersible craft used for special operations. But the situation began to shift in the 2020s.

The First One Launches!

On April 25, 2025, North Korea launched “the first next-generation combat ship to be commissioned into the heroic KPA Navy.” The newest multipurpose destroyer of the Choe Hyon class was named after one of Kim Il Sung’s comrades. Although Choe had no direct connection to the Navy, “we name the first next-generation destroyer after him so that his spirit — living in our memory as a symbol of courage and valor — may enter the hearts of new-generation sailors and inspire our Navy to achieve victories unprecedented in its history.”

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un attended the launch ceremony and called the event “a necessary step in strengthening the country’s maritime sovereignty defense and an important starting........

© New Eastern Outlook