The North Korean Navy continues to make progress in the induction process of Choe Hyon, the first of its new guided-missile destroyers, after the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, personally inspected the vessel recently as part of the final evaluations prior to its entry into service.
According to information released by North Korean state media, the visit included the verification of different phases of the ship’s test program, including an assessment of its operational capabilities and the readiness status of its weapons systems.
As reported, the destroyer conducted an autonomous sail for the first time, thereby completing sea trials intended to validate hull performance, the propulsion plant, and navigation systems. In parallel, checks were carried out on the readiness of the various combat systems and the procedures the crew must execute. In that same context, Kim Jong Un also oversaw the launch of several cruise missiles from the ship itself—an additional demonstration as part of the process ahead of its eventual formal commissioning into the North Korean Navy’s fleet.
Named Choe Hyon, the vessel was publicly unveiled on April 27, 2025, when North Korea held the ship’s launch ceremony in an event led by Kim Jong Un. On that occasion, the North Korean regime showcased the destroyer for the first time, stating that it represented a new generation of surface combatants intended to strengthen the country’s naval combat capabilities. Various estimates by analysts indicate the ship would displace around 5,000 tons, making it one of the largest units ever built by North Korea’s naval industry.
A few days after its debut, the new destroyer drew international attention again when, on May 2, North Korea announced it had conducted weapons trials from the platform. On that occasion, the ship launched a Hwasal-2 cruise missile, demonstrating its ability to operate long-range weaponry from the sea and highlighting the early integration of an attack system.
The destroyer program for this new class has also faced setbacks. On May 22, 2025, during the launch of the second unit of the same type, an incident at the shipyard caused structural damage to the vessel following a failed water-entry maneuver. Despite this, North Korea later confirmed that construction work was continuing and that the development of new units was moving forward.
Additionally, various analyst assessments and intelligence reports have suggested that Choe Hyon may have been conceived to operate a variety of long-range missile systems, potentially including nuclear-capable delivery vehicles. While Pyongyang has not officially confirmed this, the possibility aligns with North Korea’s strategy of expanding its deterrent capacity through naval platforms capable of deploying lethal weaponry.
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