Kim tests missile from new destroyer as North Korea draws lessons from Iran conflict

2026-03-05 - 06:05

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a newly built destroyer and oversaw a test launch of what state media called a “strategic cruise missile” this week, casting the navy’s build-up as a key part of Pyongyang’s evolving nuclear deterrent, analysts said. The two-day visit to the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon came as North Korea was closely watching recent US military actions against Iran and ahead of US-South Korea joint military exercises due to start on March 9. Kim called the warship a...