During a visit to the Nampho Shipyard, Mr. Kim Jong-un emphasized that strengthening the naval force is "the most important issue", requiring the modernization of North Korea's shipbuilding industry - the North Korean central news agency KCNA reported on February 2, but did not specify the time of Mr. Kim Jong-un's visit.
According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un has been informed about the preparation process for the warship construction and instructed officials to "unconditionally" promote the 5-year military development plan set out at the 2021 Party Congress.
At that important conference, Mr. Kim Jong-un pledged to develop high-tech weapons, including nuclear-powered Submarines, along with hypersonic warheads, reconnaissance satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The Nam Sinpo Shipyard, located in the eastern city of the same name, is considered North Korea's main sunken shipbuilding plant. Meanwhile, the construction of barges to launch strategic cruise missiles from Submarines (SLBM) has been observed at the Nampho Shipyard.
North Korea has recently launched three cruise missile launches in a week, including a new SLBM missile, called the "Pulhwasal-3-31".
Mr. Kim Jong-un made this comment in the context of increased tensions on the Korean peninsula in 2024 - the year South Korea and the US held elections - with weapons testing and harsh words.
On January 14, North Korea tested a new solid-state missile. Pyongyang also plans to launch three more military reconnaissance satellites this year after launching the first satellite into orbit in November 2023.
Mr. Kim Jong-un believes that space monitoring is very important to monitor military activities of the US and South Korea as well as enhance North Korea's deterrence capabilities with nuclear missiles.
