Arab Tensions Rise as Kim Jong Un Showcases Warship and Cruise-Missile Capabilities

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The leader of North Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un supervised tests of his country’s destroyer fleet this week. He claimed Pyongyang is in the process of arming its Navy with nuclear weapons. The tests included launches of sea-to-surface cruise missiles. The latest display by Kim Jong Un came soon after he presided over the grand five-year Congress of the Workers’ Party, where he updated military development goals and pledged to respond decisively to any threats. The move occurred as North Korea’s adversary, the United States, conducted a joint operation with Israel against Iran, aimed at eliminating its nuclear, missile and naval capabilities. According to AFP, citing KCNA, on Thursday (5 March 2026), Kim Jong Un carried out a inspection on Tuesday of a vessel of the Choe Hyon class, one of two destroyers launched last year. He oversaw the ship’s tests. “Arming the Navy with nuclear weapons demonstrates satisfactory progress,” Kim was quoted by KCNA. “All these successes represent a radical shift in defending our maritime sovereignty, something we have not achieved for half a century,” he added. The following day he watched a missile launch from the vessel; KCNA reported success in that test as well. Choe Hyon is one of two 5,000-ton destroyers in DPRK’s artillery. Both were launched last year as Kim sought to bolster the country’s naval capabilities. A third ship is under construction. Pyongyang had previously said that Choe Hyon is equipped with the “most powerful weapons.” Some analysts say the ship could be fitted with short-range tactical missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Although North Korea has not actually demonstrated an ability to miniaturise its nuclear weapons for such weapons. Earlier, North Korea condemned the US-Israeli attack against Iran as “illegal aggression.” The country claimed it has demonstrated Washington’s “malicious” nature. “Kim’s latest step involving the ship appears to be a show of force amid the ongoing Iran situation and ahead of the upcoming South Korea–US joint military exercises,” said Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korea Studies. (sef/sef) Add as a preferred source on Google [Gambas:Video CNBC]