Embarrassment at May Launch Ceremony Due to Grounding
Additional Destroyer to Be Built by October Next Year
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jongun is inspecting the Nampo Shipyard in North Korea. Photo by Yonhap News
North Korea plans to build an additional 5,000-ton class "Choehyeon-class" new destroyer by next year.
According to Yonhap News and the Korean Central News Agency on July 22, workers at the Nampo Shipyard held a rally on July 21 and pledged, "We have resolved to build another new destroyer by October 10, 2026." October 10 is the anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Yun Chigeol, the manager of the Nampo Shipyard, stated in his report, "Let us once again demonstrate the boundless creativity and indomitable spirit of the honorable vanguard that leads the implementation of the Party Central Committee's vision for building a strong military, by successfully completing the construction of the destroyer within the set deadline."
The Korean Central News Agency reported that "the soaring spirit and passion of all participants, determined to make the great Kim Jongun era a new golden age for strengthening the independent naval forces, resounded powerfully as thunderous slogans at the site."
North Korea has been intensifying its efforts to strengthen its naval power, including unveiling its first 5,000-ton class new destroyer, the "Choehyeonho," on April 26. Less than a month later, on May 21, North Korea attempted to unveil a second destroyer of the same class, but the ship ran aground during the launching ceremony, causing embarrassment. On June 12, the repaired vessel was relaunched under the name "Ganggeonho."
At the launching ceremony of the Ganggeonho, State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jongun mentioned measures to strengthen naval power, including "deploying two Choehyeon-class or higher-class destroyers to operational waters every year starting next year."
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