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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of “strategic cruise missiles” from a newly built destroyer on March 5, 2026, while calling for a rapid expansion of the country’s navy, as Pyongyang condemned recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

North Korea’s state media, KCNA, reported that Kim spent two days inspecting the new warship and observing missile launches from the vessel, describing it as a key step in strengthening the country’s maritime defense and nuclear deterrence.

The developments come as North Korea sharply criticized Washington and its allies over military operations in the Middle East, linking global tensions to what it calls U.S. “hegemonic” behavior.

In a statement released through state media, Pyongyang described the strikes as an “illegal act of aggression” and a violation of national sovereignty. The North Korean Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. and Israel of abusing military force and undermining international stability.

According to the statement, the attacks represent “the most despicable form of violation of sovereignty” and reflect what North Korea called the United States’ “hegemonic and gangster-like nature.”

North Korea said the “war of aggression” by the United States and Israel “can never be tolerated under any circumstances.” The remarks place Pyongyang firmly among the countries condemning the strikes and highlight its longstanding alignment with Iran against U.S. influence.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw cruise missile launches from the Choe Hyon destroyer on North Korea's west coast Wednesday, marking final testing before the warship enters active service.

By @ColinZwirko: https://t.co/Q6my6X1y3e

Video: KCTV (March 5, 2026) pic.twitter.com/6ksWAvlhR0

— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) March 5, 2026

“The relevant and interested parties in the region would be well advised to correctly grasp the nature of the offenders who chose aggression and war under the pretext of fake peace, and to fulfill their due responsibility in switching the trend in the situation of the Middle East back to peace and stability,” the North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Missile Test from New Destroyer

According to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, Kim supervised the launch of sea-to-surface “strategic cruise missiles” from the Choe Hyon-class destroyer during sea trials ahead of its official commissioning.

Photos released by state media showed multiple projectiles rising from the vessel in plumes of white smoke while Kim watched from shore.

KCNA described the missile test as a “core” demonstration of the warship’s capabilities. The vessel, named Choe Hyon, is the first in a new class of roughly 5,000-ton destroyers that Pyongyang says will form the backbone of its expanding navy.

Kim said the development marked a major milestone in strengthening North Korea’s maritime defense. “Our Navy’s forces for attacking from under and above water will grow rapidly. The arming of the Navy with nuclear weapons is making satisfactory progress,” he said during a visit to the Nampo shipyard.

He added that these advances would “constitute a radical change in defending our maritime sovereignty, something that we have not achieved for half a century.” The term “strategic” is commonly used by North Korea to indicate weapons that may be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Push for Rapid Naval Expansion

During his inspection, Kim called for an ambitious increase in naval shipbuilding. “Every year during the new five-year plan period, we must build two surface warships of this class or of a higher class,” he said.

State media reported that Kim also inspected the construction of a third destroyer of the same class at the Nampo shipyard. Officials aim to complete the vessel by October to coincide with the anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party.

North Korea has increasingly emphasized naval modernization in recent years, seeking to expand its ability to operate farther from its shores and enhance its strike capabilities at sea.

The Choe Hyon destroyer is reportedly designed to carry a wide range of weapons systems, including anti-aircraft missiles, anti-ship weapons, and nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

South Korean military officials and analysts have suggested the vessel may have been developed with Russian technical assistance as military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow deepens.

However, some outside experts remain skeptical about whether the ship is fully ready for operational deployment.

Earlier Launch Failure

North Korea’s naval modernization program has also faced setbacks. In May 2025, a second destroyer of the same class capsized during a failed launch ceremony at the Chongjin shipyard.

The accident occurred in front of Kim himself and prompted an unusually strong reaction from the leader.

State media later reported that a malfunction in the launch mechanism caused the stern of the ship to slip into the water prematurely while the bow remained stuck on the shipway, damaging sections of the hull.

Kim described the failure as a “criminal act” caused by “absolute carelessness” and “irresponsibility” by officials and engineers involved in the project. Several people were reportedly detained after the incident.

The damaged vessel, later named Kang Kon, was repaired and relaunched the following month, though outside observers continue to question its readiness.

Military Drills and Weapons Development

Alongside the shipyard visit, state media released photographs of Kim attending a Korean People’s Army sniper competition in Pyongyang.

Images showed the leader holding a rifle while watching soldiers compete in a sharpshooting contest. The appearances underline the regime’s continued focus on military training and weapons development as tensions persist on the Korean Peninsula.

Since taking power in 2011, Kim has prioritized strengthening North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities.

Recent efforts have increasingly expanded into naval platforms, including the development of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and plans for a nuclear-powered submarine.

At the Workers’ Party congress held last month, Kim outlined a new five-year military modernization plan that includes expanding nuclear forces and improving strategic weapons systems.

Rising Tensions in Multiple Regions

The missile tests and naval expansion come at a time of growing geopolitical tensions in several regions. North Korea has repeatedly warned that it will continue strengthening its military to counter what it sees as threats from the United States and its allies, including South Korea and Japan.

At the same time, Pyongyang has left open the possibility of dialogue with Washington, insisting that any talks must begin without demands for its unilateral denuclearization.

For now, the launch of cruise missiles from the Choe Hyon destroyer signals that North Korea intends to continue expanding its strategic arsenal while positioning itself diplomatically against U.S. military actions abroad.

The combination of naval modernization, nuclear weapons development, and increasingly vocal criticism of Western military operations suggests that North Korea plans to play a more visible role in the evolving global security landscape.