Kim Jong Un just unveiled his latest toy—a 5,000-ton destroyer loaded with nukes—while blaming America for “forcing” his hand in this escalating game of naval chicken.
At a Glance
- North Korea launched a new 5,000-ton “Choe Hyon-class” destroyer capable of carrying nuclear-capable missiles
- Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, showcased the warship as part of his “Kim Jong Un-style fleet building” initiative
- The dictator announced plans for a nuclear-powered submarine as his next military project
- Built in just over 400 days using supposedly domestic technology and resources
- Kim blamed U.S. and South Korean military exercises for forcing North Korea to expand its naval capabilities
Kim’s New Nuclear Toy
In another spectacle of military posturing that’s become all too familiar, North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un has unveiled his latest vanity project—a 5,000-ton destroyer equipped with what his regime calls their “most powerful weapons.” This warship, pompously named the “Choe Hyon-class” after an anti-Japanese revolutionary, is supposedly decked out with vertical launch cells capable of firing nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. And in typical North Korean fashion, they want us to believe this floating threat was built “perfectly with our own strength and technology” in a mere 400 days—a claim that strains credibility given the country’s crumbling infrastructure and starving population.
The ceremony, held at the western port of Nampo, featured the usual propaganda circus with Kim Jong Un front and center, daughter in tow, positioning her as the heir apparent to the hermit kingdom’s throne. His sister Kim Yo Jong, the regime’s designated attack dog for international statements, was also present at this family affair disguised as a military achievement. This isn’t just a warship launch—it’s the beginning of what North Korean state media is dramatically calling a new era of “Kim Jong Un-style fleet building,” as if the world needed another military doctrine named after a dictator.
Playing the Victim While Building Nukes
In a speech that would make even the most shameless politicians blush, Kim blamed America for his military buildup, claiming North Korea must “respond decisively to this geopolitical crisis and ongoing developments.” The supreme leader had the audacity to suggest that U.S. and South Korean joint military exercises—defensive measures against his own aggressive behavior—are forcing his poor, innocent regime to develop weapons capable of annihilating millions. It’s the diplomatic equivalent of a schoolyard bully claiming he had to punch you because you put up your hands to protect your face.
“If the U.S. continues to renew its record in the protests of military power, we will have no choice but to renew it in the exercise of strategic deterrence,” Kim Jong Un declared, as reported by gcaptain.com.
Kim emphasized the necessity of strong “pre-emptive attack capabilities” as a war deterrent—a chilling statement from a man whose finger hovers near nuclear buttons. Meanwhile, Biden’s administration continues its policy of strategic patience, which in practice looks suspiciously like strategic indifference. While America sends strongly worded letters, North Korea builds stronger weapons. The destroyer is expected to begin active duty early next year, adding another piece to Kim’s growing arsenal aimed squarely at American interests and allies.
Nuclear Submarines: The Next Fantasy Project
Not content with his new surface vessel, Kim announced plans to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine as his next military priority. This follows North Korea’s March announcement claiming they’re already constructing such a vessel—though experts rightfully question whether the technologically challenged nation can achieve this feat without substantial foreign assistance. Of course, with Russia cozying up to Pyongyang over the Ukraine conflict, that assistance might already be flowing through back channels while the administration looks the other way, focused on climate change and gender pronouns rather than emerging nuclear threats.
“within 400-odd days perfectly with our own strength and technology,” boasted Jo Chun Ryong, as reported by gcaptain.com.
Regional tensions have escalated dramatically as North Korea continues its aggressive military displays and strengthens its alignment with Russia. Kim’s 2021 wish list of advanced weapons—including nuclear submarines, solid-fueled ICBMs, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles—shows a regime intent on building capabilities specifically designed to threaten America and evade our defensive systems. Yet our response remains tepid at best, with each new North Korean provocation met with the same recycled statements of concern rather than meaningful countermeasures that would make Kim think twice before his next military showcase.
