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North Korea test-fired a strategic cruise missile and other weapons from its new 5,000-ton Kang Kon destroyer on Friday, with leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the tests, state media reported Sunday.
Kim observed tests of a cruise missile, naval artillery, automatic guns and electronic warfare systems from the warship, according to the Korean Central News Agency. He ordered the destroyer to complete its trial process and be commissioned into the navy within two months.
The South Korean military said Sunday it detected the North firing a cruise missile from the warship toward the East Sea on Friday. Seoul and Washington are analyzing the specifics, Yonhap News reported.
The latest tests were part of efforts to examine and confirm the destroyer's ability to use various weapons systems in combat, according to KCNA.
KCNA said Kim instructed officials to complete the trial process of the Kang Kon "in a responsible manner" and commission it for the navy within two months.
The vessel suffered a setback in May last year when it partially capsized after tipping into the water during its launch, damaging the ship in front of Kim. He blamed the accident on "absolute carelessness" and "irresponsibility" and ordered those responsible to be held accountable.
Pyongyang launched the destroyer in June last year, about a month after the failed initial launch attempt.
A photo released by KCNA showed Kim, wearing a yellow hat, watching a weapons test from a coastal observation point alongside officials. Another image showed the Kang Kon firing a missile at sea, with a plume of smoke rising from the launch.
Kim urged stronger efforts to increase the country's war deterrent and combat capability. KCNA said he also pledged to demonstrate North Korea's determination to possess "absolute power."
The tests took place less than two weeks after another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, entered military service.
During that commissioning ceremony, Kim vowed to equip the navy with nuclear weapons and develop new 10,000-ton warships.
Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul told AFP that Kim's order to commission the Kang Kon within two months could be linked to the 78th anniversary of North Korea's founding on Sept. 9.
"Given North Korea's political calendar, the most likely scenario is that the vessel will be commissioned to coincide with the 78th anniversary of the country's founding on Sept. 9," Hong said.
Once deployed, the warship is likely to operate off the Korean Peninsula's eastern coast, he said.
"For the time being, the focus is likely to be on building proficiency in low-threat, nearshore operations," Hong added.
The South Korean navy operates more than 10 ships over 5,000 tons, compared with North Korea's two.
North Korea has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state since a 2019 summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi collapsed over the scope of denuclearization and sanctions relief.
North Korea remains technically at war with South Korea because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
In a separate KCNA report Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was ready to work with Kim to guide China-North Korea relations toward "long-term, sound and stable" development.
Xi made the remarks in response to Kim's congratulatory message marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, KCNA reported.
Xi thanked Kim for the message, saying it reflected the "deep and warm feelings" of the North Korean leader, the ruling Workers' Party and the North Korean people toward China.
"The Communist Party of China and the Workers' Party of Korea are the Marxist ruling parties," Xi said, adding that the two countries had stood together for national independence and jointly advanced the socialist cause over generations.
"I am ready to guide the relevant sectors and regions of both sides to the full implementation of the important common understanding achieved among us and lead the China-DPRK relations to a long-term, sound and stable development," Xi said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Xi's message followed his two-day state visit to Pyongyang in June, his first trip to North Korea in seven years.
Referring to that visit, Xi thanked Kim for the "enthusiastic and friendly" hospitality during the trip.
Kim described their summit in Pyongyang as a "historic occasion" and said it was North Korea's "steadfast stand" to continue strengthening ties with Beijing.
North Korea and China are also commemorating the 65th anniversary of the North-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, signed on July 11.
The exchange came as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea expands military cooperation with Russia, where Pyongyang has sent soldiers and munitions to assist Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
China remains North Korea's largest economic partner, accounting for nearly 98% of the country's foreign trade in 2024, according to South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance.
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