Overview

• The Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer armed with supersonic cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles, was launched at Nampho Shipyard on April 26, 2025.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong-un introduced the concept of 'intermediate line waters,' signaling a potential new maritime boundary south of the Northern Limit Line.
• The destroyer features advanced four-sided phased-array radar, marking a significant leap in North Korea's naval capabilities and drawing comparisons to South Korea's Aegis destroyers.
• Analysts warn that the 'intermediate line' could serve as a pretext for future military provocations, with implications for regional stability.
• South Korean military officials believe North Korea is constructing additional combat ships and a nuclear-powered submarine to bolster its second-strike nuclear deterrence.