North Korea Completes Weapons Tests for New Destroyer 'Ganggeonho', Orders Commissioning Within 2 Months

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the main weapon system tests of the new 5,000-ton class destroyer 'Ganggeonho', which had suffered a grounding accident during its launch ceremony last year, and ordered its commissioning within two months. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency reported on the 5th that 'Ganggeonho' conducted tests of its main weapon systems, including strategic cruise missiles, naval guns, automatic cannons, and electronic warfare equipment, on the 3rd. These tests were conducted to verify the combat applicability of the ship's weapon systems, following checks of target detection, information processing capabilities, and integrated firepower systems, and included naval gun firing and strategic cruise missile launches.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff detected cruise missiles launched into the East Sea from 'Ganggeonho' on the 3rd, with experts analyzing North Korea's intention to utilize them as a maritime nuclear deterrent or to enhance its naval defense capabilities. North Korea appears to be accelerating efforts to bolster its maritime forces in the East and West Seas, having commissioned the 'Choe Hyon Ho' last month.

While observing the tests, Kim emphasized the need to expand reliable war deterrence and execution capabilities, ordering the Navy to complete the test procedures for 'Ganggeonho' and commission it within two months. This move to conduct weapons tests and push for early commissioning can be interpreted as North Korea's attempt to overcome the negative image resulting from the grounding accident during last year's launch ceremony and to outwardly demonstrate that the new destroyer's operational deployment is proceeding normally.