North Korea's new destroyer: Russian ties under scrutiny
The South Korean military suspects that North Korea may have received technological or financial support from Russia in building the newly launched destroyer, Choe Hyon. Analysts quoted by Newsweek believe it was part of the compensation that Pyongyang provides to Moscow in connection with the war in Ukraine.
"Looking at the weapons and equipment that were revealed, we believe that there is a possibility that they received technology, funds or assistance from Russia," stated the spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Li Sung Dzun.
He added that "more detailed analyses" are ongoing, but it already seems almost sure that the Choe Hyon is a vessel that can be equipped with tactical short-range nuclear missiles.
What do we know about Choe Hyon?
The launch of the new multi-purpose destroyer with a displacement of 5,512 tonnes, named Choe Hyon in honour of a deceased revolutionary fighter, was announced by the North Korean news agency KCNA on 25th April. A few days later, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the ship's tests, calling for the acceleration of "nuclear armament of the navy."
Analysts quoted by AFP also assess that the vessel may be equipped with tactical short-range nuclear missiles. The regime in Pyongyang claims that the destroyer was built in about 400 days, "exclusively by the forces and using North Korean technology," and is expected to enter service early next year.
Li Sung Dzun noted that when it comes to naval vessels, their construction spans several years, and even after they are built, a considerable amount of time is still needed before they become fully operational.
A spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that North Korea's progress in weapons development is under continuous and careful observation.
North Korea is a proven ally of Russia
The American think tank 38 North, which specialises in analysing the situation in North Korea, based on satellite photos from April 24th, stated that the new ship requires further work. The images showed the use of tugs to move the vessel, suggesting it is not yet fully operational.
Last week, "Newsweek" reported, citing a report from the South Korean KIDA (Korea Institute for Defence Analyses), that North Korea's involvement in Russia's war with Ukraine brought it over £16 billion in profits. Analysts note that Pyongyang may be receiving technology in exchange for supplying weapons and deploying its soldiers in the Kursk region in western Russia.
