Kim Jong Un Again Observes Missile Launch from 5,000-Ton Destroyer, Citing Need to Strengthen Nuclear Deterrent

[The Financial News] Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, has again observed a missile test launch from the new destroyer Choi Hyun-ho, which is slated for deployment in actual operations, roughly one month after his previous visit. The Choi Hyun-ho, often described as the DPRK's version of an Aegis destroyer, is a new warship equipped with strategic cruise missiles and anti-ship (ship-to-ship) missiles.
Kim previously inspected the operational status of the weapons system by watching strategic cruise missile test launches from the Choi Hyun-ho, the DPRK's first 5,000-ton-class new destroyer, on the 4th and 10th of last month. During the test launch on the 4th, he was accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae.
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 14th, Kim on the 12th personally observed a missile launch test intended to evaluate the operational use of the navy destroyer Choi Hyun-ho. The purpose was to inspect the destroyer's integrated weapons command and launch control system and to drill the sailors in missile fire procedures.
Kim watched the missile test launches at sea from the pier together with senior military officials. He was then briefed on proposed weapons configurations for the third and fourth destroyers currently under construction.
On that day, two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles were test-fired from the Choi Hyun-ho. KCNA claimed that the strategic cruise missiles flew for 7,869 to 7,920 seconds (2 hours 11 minutes 9 seconds to 2 hours 12 minutes) and the anti-ship missiles for 1,960 to 1,973 seconds (32 minutes 40 seconds to 32 minutes 53 seconds) along designated trajectories over the Yellow Sea before striking their targets with "ultra-precise accuracy." Kim stated, "Let us further strengthen the strategic and tactical strike capabilities that form the basis of our nuclear war deterrent, enhance our rapid response posture, and continue to refine it."


rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter