North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test launch of cruise missiles from the navy’s new destroyer on Tuesday (March 10) off the western coast near Nampho, according to state media.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the North Korean leader monitored the launch via video and communicated with the ship by telephone from an undisclosed but remote location inside the country.

Photos released by KCNA show his daughter and presumed successor, Kim Ju Ae, standing beside him along with senior military generals.

During the test, multiple cruise missiles were launched in quick succession from the destroyer No. 51 Choe Hyon, following a flight path lasting about three hours, demonstrating their long range.

Footage broadcast by state television shows the vessel firing six missiles one after another toward the west from a vertical launch system (VLS) located at the stern of the ship.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test launch of strategic cruise missiles from a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, the country's state media said. pic.twitter.com/jCIVr9TYlr

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 11, 2026

“The test confirmed the reliability of the national integrated command system for strategic weapons and the superiority of the ship’s integrated combat system,” Kim stated.

After the test, he also emphasized that “the state’s nuclear force has entered a multidimensional operational stage.”

At the same time, the North Korean leader announced that Choe Hyon-class destroyers and larger warships to be built in the future will be equipped with hypersonic weapon systems, replacing automatic cannons, in order to maximize long-range nuclear strike capabilities. Smaller vessels under 3,000 tons will retain automatic cannons for immediate defensive use.

KCNA reported that the ship’s crew will continue testing anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and mine-laying weapons, as well as conducting navigation and maneuvering trials before the vessel is delivered to the navy within the scheduled timeline.

The destroyer is expected to be delivered on October 10, 2026. At the same time, North Korea is also working on the development of a second destroyer, No. 52 Kang Kon, whose progress appears to have slowed due to problems during its initial launch.