North Korea unveils largest warship amid global tensions
The construction of North Korea's largest military unit was detected through satellite images. The vessel may be more than twice the size of those currently owned by Pyongyang. What else is known about this mysterious frigate?
What do you need to know?
- Where and when were the images taken? Satellite images were taken on April 6th by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs, an American technology company specializing in observing Earth from space. The photographs captured the construction of the vessel at the Nampo shipyard, approximately 60 kilometres from North Korea's capital, Pyongyang.
- What are the features of the new vessel? The frigate is about 140 metres long and is equipped with vertical missile launchers, making it the largest warship in North Korea.
- Why is the construction of the vessel important? The construction aligns with Kim Jong Un's efforts to modernize the armed forces, despite international sanctions.
What are the construction details of the vessel?
Satellite images from April 6th show that the construction of North Korea's largest warship is ongoing at the Nampo shipyard. Analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Joseph Bermudez Jr. and Jennifer Jun, indicate that the frigate is about 140 metres long, making it the largest ship in the country's history.
What technologies were used on the new frigate?
The new frigate is equipped with vertical missile launchers, allowing it to attack land and sea targets. Experts note that the vessel has a modern radar system that enables faster and more accurate target tracking. This is a significant step in modernizing North Korea's fleet.
What are Kim Jong Un's goals?
The construction of the ship is not surprising. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has great ambitions to strengthen and modernize his armed forces. This is happening despite Western sanctions imposed on Pyongyang since 2006 due to the country's nuclear program.
The North Korean dictator is strengthening ties with Russia. This helps him achieve his military goals. Additionally, North Korea has sent its soldiers to the conflict region between Moscow and Kyiv, which is further evidence of cooperation between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin.
The closeness between Russia and North Korea since the start of the war in Ukraine helps significantly in ignoring restrictions. Kim Duk-ki, a retired South Korean admiral, believes that the technology needed to construct the missile systems of the new frigate can be provided by Moscow.
