SEOUL, Nov 4 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for modernising the country's shipyards to build a powerful naval force during a visit to the Nampho Shipyard, state-run KCNA reported on Wednesday.
Kim gave field guidance during the visit on Monday and said expanding the capacity of the existing shipyards and increasing their operation rate was important to develop the country's marine industry for securing its sea border, according to KCNA.
North Korea is building its third Choe Hyon-class destroyer under Kim's five-year defence development plan, which aims to produce two surface warships every year.
The second warship of the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer failed in its first launch attempt in May 2025. The warship was repaired and launched again in June.
North Korea has been developing its navy's missile capabilities in recent months, testing anti-ship missiles.
In July, Kim observed the test firing of a strategic cruise missile and evaluations of anti-ship systems aboard a naval destroyer. In April, North Korea test-fired anti-warship missiles to assess the efficiency of its destroyer.
(Reporting by Heejin Kim; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
