North Korea's Kim Jong-un Inspects Naval Base Construction, Emphasizing National Security
General Secretary Kim Jong-un recently inspected the construction of a significant naval base on North Korea's east coast, a project he described as crucial for national security and maritime sovereignty. This inspection follows a visit to the Nampo Shipyard on November 2, where photos revealed a hull believed to be a 10,000-ton cruiser that North Korea had previously announced plans to build. Additionally, on November 9, institutions including the Academy of National Defense Science conducted tests on a new torpedo weapon, slated for naval deployment in early 2027. These developments indicate a strategic shift towards enhancing naval power, following years of focus on developing missile capabilities for nuclear warheads. The specific location of the naval base was not disclosed, but it is likely the same site, Dapchon Port in Munchon, Gangwon Province, that Kim Jong-un inspected two years prior when he ordered its construction.
