North Korea conducts missile tests from new destroyer under Kim Jong Un’s supervision

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:08:00 +0200

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally observed a series of missile tests launched from the country’s newest warship, a 5,000-ton-class destroyer named Choe Hyon, according to state media reports. The exercises included the launch of two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles on Sunday, with the weapons reportedly following pre-set flight paths over North Korea’s western waters before striking designated targets. State media claimed the cruise missiles remained airborne for more than two hours, while the anti-ship missiles flew for over 30 minutes.

The Choe Hyon destroyer, first revealed in 2025, is described by North Korea as a major advancement in its naval capabilities and is reportedly designed to carry a range of weapon systems, including anti-air, anti-ship, and potentially nuclear-capable cruise and ballistic missiles. Analysts in South Korea and beyond have suggested the ship may have been developed with external assistance, potentially from Russia, though questions