Kim Jong-un Attends North Korea's New Warship Armed Test

JAKARTA - North Korea earlier this week conducted its first test of the armament system of the recently launched "Glas Choe Hyon" warship, state media KCNA reported Wednesday.

In the test which was attended by Leader Kim Jong-un, North Korean warships fired cruise and anti-air missiles, as well as artillery as part of the test.

"It is time for North Korea's navy to choose to accelerate nuclear weapons for the sake of maritime sovereignty and for the sake of national defense," Leader Kim was quoted as saying.

Separately, South Korea and the United States intelligence agencies are closely monitoring North Korea's shipbuilding activities, an official at the Seoul Ministry of Defense said.

Meanwhile, think tank 38 North said it might take more work before the new naval destroyer can go to sea with its own driving force. The agency focuses on North Korea, which records the satellite image of a tugboat pushing the ship back into a floating dry dock.

"The use of tugboats to move ships to its place and return again could indicate a lack of a functioning propulsion system," the think tank said.

Earlier, North Korean state media on Saturday revealed a 5,000-ton warship that it said was equipped with "the most powerful weapon."

Leader Kim, in a launch speech reported by KCNA, said the warship would be handed over to the navy and would start operating early next year.

It said the "Chee Hyon Class" ship was named after anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Choe Hyon, according to KCNA.