Kim Jong-un Oversees New Cruise Missile Launch from Destroyer Amid US‑South Korea Drills
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Image: YonhapThis photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on March 11, 2026, shows the North's leader Kim Jong-un (R) and his daughter Ju-ae overseeing a test-firing of strategic cruise missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon via video the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size -
Image: Yonhap
Kim Jong-un watched missile test via video North Korean leader observed a test‑firing of strategic cruise missiles from the 5,000‑ton destroyer Choe Hyon on Tuesday, just as Seoul and Washington began their Freedom Shield drills, according to KCNA [1].
Missiles flew over Yellow Sea for over two‑hours KCNA reported the cruise missiles traveled along a flight path above the Yellow Sea for 10,116‑10,138 seconds before striking designated targets, demonstrating the integrated control system’s reliability [1].
Kim’s daughter Ju‑ae appeared at the test site State media photos showed Kim Jong‑un’s daughter Ju‑ae overseeing the launch, a contrast to the previous test where she was absent [1].
Experts estimate 2,000‑2,500 km range reaching Japan Yang Moo‑jin, a senior professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said the missiles could travel 2,000‑2,500 km, putting U.S. bases in Japan within reach and signalling protest against the joint drills [1].
Kim called for expanding naval firepower KCNA quoted Kim urging evaluation of naval automatic guns and proposing future 3,000‑ton warships equipped with such guns, while mentioning an 8,000‑ton destroyer for the first time as part of a broader naval modernization plan [1].
North Korea has been building larger destroyers The regime unveiled the Choe Hyon in April 2025, launched the 5,000‑ton Kang Kon in June 2025, and ordered a third destroyer of the same class by the Workers’ Party’s founding anniversary on Oct. 10, reflecting an ongoing effort to modernize its fleet [1].
- Kim Jong-un (via KCNA): “The components of our war deterrent are now being included in the very sophisticated operational system… the country’s nuclear forces have made a switch to the phase of multifaceted operation,” and added that the test verified “the reliability of the national integrated control system of strategic weapons and superiority of the destroyer’s integrated combat system.”
- Yang Moo‑jin: “In terms of range, the North’s missiles appear to be targeting U.S. military bases overseas, not South Korean installations… North Korea’s missile test seems to be aimed at protesting the Seoul‑Washington military exercise.”