North Korea's Kim Jong Un lauds restored destroyer, says more to be built

Straits Times

19 hours ago

Mr Kim Jong Un called for the country to strengthen its maritime military presence in the Pacific Ocean in the face of what he said were provocations by the US and its allies PHOTO: REUTERS
North Korea's Kim Jong Un lauds restored destroyer, says more to be built
SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended on June 12 the launching ceremony of a warship that had been damaged upon its first attempt to launch, state media KCNA said on June 13.
Satellite images had shown ongoing repairs of the 5,000-ton destroyer that had partially capsised in May, after Mr Kim called the accident a 'criminal act' and ordered its restoration before a party meeting in June.
Mr Kim said the restoration of the destroyer 'had not delayed' North Korea's attempts to enhance naval power, and said plans were in place 'to build two more 5,000-ton destroyers next year', KCNA said.
He called for the country to strengthen its maritime military presence in the Pacific Ocean in the face of what he said were provocations by the US and its allies, KCNA said.
'Soon, enemies will experience themselves how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters,' Mr Kim said in a speech at the ceremony, according to KCNA.
'I'm sure that in the near future, the routes of our battleships... will be opened on the Pacific Ocean toward the outposts of aggression.' REUTERS
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