North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the new five-thousand-ton destroyer Choe Hyon during his visit to an arms exhibition.

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said Monday Kim toured the ship on Sunday with top party, government, and military officials and received briefings on its weapons systems.

He described the vessel as “a clear demonstration of the progress of Juche or self-reliance-based armed power,” emphasizing its symbolic value in modernizing naval capabilities.

Kim said placing portraits and a statue of anti-Japanese fighter Choe Hyon aboard was meant to pass his “unyielding revolutionary spirit” on to new-generation sailors.

The Choe Hyon, named after the father of top official Choe Ryong-hae, is North Korea's first five-thousand-ton destroyer launched in April.

Kim reaffirmed plans to build another ship of the same class by October 10 next year as part of his broader drive to strengthen the navy.