North Korea’s Kim Shows Off New Warship Before Chinese President Xi Jinping's Visit
Kim ordered faster naval modernization and an expanded nuclear deterrent, including 10,000-ton destroyers and secret underwater weapons, state media said.
- On Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon to oversee navigation tests, stressing the navy's need to become "capable of reliably taking charge of a part of the nuclear war deterrent."
- The warship previously tipped over during a failed launch attempt last May, prompting Kim to condemn the accident as "absolute carelessness" and "irresponsibility" before ordering repairs at the Rajin shipyard.
- Building a navy capable of delivering a "deadly blow" is a core goal of the five-year defense plan, which includes constructing 10,000-ton destroyers and developing "underwater secret weapons."
- This inspection occurred ahead of a planned visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping from June 8 to 9, as Beijing seeks to reinforce ties with its nuclear-armed neighbor amid regional tensions.
- Images released by state media showed Kim accompanied by his teenage daughter, Ju-ae, fueling speculation from South Korean officials that she may be his successor as he cements North Korea's status as a nuclear state.
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avisendanmark.dkChina's president is visiting one of the world's most isolated countries on Monday for the first time in almost seven years.
Did Kim just reveal Xi's secret Taiwan killer? North Korea's new nuclear warship looks eerily ready
North Korea has showcased its newest 5,000-ton destroyer just days before Xi Jinping’s expected visit to Pyongyang. After a failed launch that drew global attention, Kim Jong Un personally oversaw sea trials of the repaired warship, which state media says can carry anti-ship, anti-air and nuclear-capable missiles. The display highlights Pyongyang’s push to expand its naval deterrent and deepen strategic coordination with China amid rising region…
Autocrat Kim Jong-un conducted a highly personal inspection tour of the Kang Kon, a destroyer that caused him considerable embarrassment last year. Now the situation is different: days before the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Kim parades proudly across the deck of his warship.
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