N. Korea's Kim calls for bolstering naval power to 'thoroughly' punish enemy

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un visits the 5,000-ton destroyer, Choe Hyon, Sunday, in this photo released by Norht Korea's Korean Central News Agency, Monday. Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited the nation's first 5,000-ton destroyer, calling for bolstering the naval combat force to "thoroughly deter and counter the enemy's provocations," state media reported Monday.

Kim visited the destroyer Choe Hyon, Sunday, accompanied by key party and government officials, as part of his scheduled trip to a military hardware exhibition, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In April, North Korea unveiled its new 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer, the Choe Hyon, as part of its efforts to enhance its naval power.

During the visit, Kim said "the tremendous ability of our navy should be exercised in the vast ocean to thoroughly deter or counter and punish the enemy's provocations" to defend the nation's sovereignty and its security interests, according to the KCNA.

"He noted that our (Workers') Party would continue its struggle without even a moment's stagnation for the overall and accelerated expansion and growth of the naval combat force defending the core of the national rights," it added.

North Korea earlier said the Choe Hyon was equipped with supersonic strategic cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and other weapons.

In June, the North launched another destroyer of the same class, the Kang Kon, after repairs, a month after the warship had tipped over and sustained damage during its initial launch in May.

North Korea has been focusing on strengthening its navy with a plan to build another 5,000-ton destroyer by October 2026.