North Korea has unveiled its largest and most advanced warship to date—a 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer named the Choe Hyon-class. The vessel was launched at a ceremony in Nampho on April 25, 2025, attended by leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Ju-ae. Kim described the destroyer as a cornerstone in his strategy to enhance the nation's maritime strike capabilities and to deter perceived threats from the United States and South Korea.​

Built in approximately 400 days using domestic resources, the Choe Hyon-class destroyer is equipped with advanced weaponry, including vertical launch systems capable of deploying nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as anti-air and anti-ship weapons. Analysts note that the ship features three separate sections of vertical launch systems and an Aegis radar system capable of 360-degree surveillance.​

This development marks a significant escalation in North Korea's naval capabilities, transitioning from its previous largest warship—a 1,500-ton frigate—to a vessel that can carry over 70 missiles. Kim emphasized that this destroyer is the first in a new class of heavily armed warships and announced plans to construct additional vessels, including larger cruisers and nuclear-powered submarines, in the coming years.​

The launch coincided with the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Revolutionary Army and serves as a response to recent U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, which Pyongyang views as provocative. Kim stated that possessing strong preemptive attack capabilities is the most effective military deterrent in the current severe security environment.

While the destroyer's capabilities represent a significant advancement for North Korea, experts suggest that it will require considerable time for the vessel to become fully operational, given the need for extensive training and system integration. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff are closely monitoring the situation, acknowledging the destroyer's potential impact on regional security dynamics .​