North Korea is expanding its fleet. Russian accent in the background

The North Korean Navy is divided into two main commands: the East Sea Fleet operating in the Sea of Japan and the West Sea Fleet operating in the Yellow Sea. The latter received the „Choe Hyon” destroyer. According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the ship was initially intended to carry ballistic missiles but was ultimately equipped with cruise missiles. The installed system resembles the Russian Pantsir-ME system, suggesting technological support from Moscow.

There are also plans to construct larger vessels—strategic cruisers with a displacement of 10,000 tons. Currently, the DPRK does not possess ports where such units could be stationed. The country’s leader calls this a „happy worry” and has announced the need to build modern naval bases.

Pyongyang also plans to equip its navy with nuclear warheads. The country’s leader stated that „the program is proceeding flawlessly” and remains a strategic direction of key importance. The modernisation of the fleet is justified by the close military cooperation between South Korea and the United States. Formally, the Koreas have remained in a state of war since the signing of the ceasefire in 1953. Cooperation between the North Korean regime and the Russian Federation has been growing for some time now. Both states must contend with sanctions imposed by the broader West. In such a situation, cooperation between the parties is logical. Moscow benefits from North Korean workers and soldiers (who are fighting in Ukraine), while Pyongyang receives Russian technology in return.