[Anchor]

North Korea has recently deployed the Choe Hyon-ho, a 5,000-ton destroyer, and announced plans to build two additional vessels every year.

Reporter Kim Ayeong explains why North Korea is strengthening its naval power.

[Reporter]

This is the commissioning ceremony for the Choe Hyon-ho, the first 5,000-ton destroyer, held at Nampo Port on the west coast on June 23.

In his speech, General Secretary Kim Jong-un pledged to become a defense powerhouse that demonstrates national strength on the high seas, and issued the following directive:

[Kim Jong-un/General Secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea: During the new five-year plan period, we will build two or more surface combatants of the Choe Hyon class or larger every year, including 10,000-ton cruisers, along with frigates.]

He has set a goal of possessing approximately 10 vessels of 5,000 tons or more by 2030, as well as securing 10,000-ton cruisers.

With the second destroyer, the Kang Gon-ho, expected to be commissioned soon, it is understood that construction of the third ship has also begun, with a target of completion by the Workers' Party Foundation Day on October 10.

Although Kim Jong-un has been advocating for the construction of a deep-sea operation fleet since the launch ceremony of the Choe Hyon-ho in April last year, experts assess that it is difficult to believe North Korea currently possesses the capability to implement this.

As Kim Jong-un himself acknowledges, the country lacks the bases to stably operate large warships, and also falls short in terms of logistical support and air cover capabilities.

Nevertheless, why is North Korea putting so much effort into building destroyers?

The explanation is that it aims to build the foundation for deep-sea operational capabilities in the long term, while simultaneously seeking the effect of demonstrating its nuclear power at sea within a relatively short period.

[Hong Min/Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification: Rather than the concept of going out into the deep sea to carry out certain operations, the current focus is on the fact that these are nuclear-armed platforms. It is about showing that they possess platforms not only on land but also at sea.]

The slow progress in submarine development, which was expected to be the central axis of its nuclear power operations, is also cited as a factor in accelerating the construction of destroyers.

[Choi Il/Director of the Submarine Research Institute: They initially planned to develop nuclear power underwater, but construction has been significantly delayed due to various limitations. It appears to be a plan to shift the center of their maritime strategy to surface ships while simultaneously continuing submarine construction.]

Having enhanced its nuclear capabilities on land through the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and tactical nuclear warheads, North Korea is now turning its attention to the sea.

Reported by Kim Ayeong | Video by Jo Mu-hwan