Russia may have helped North Korea with new warship, Seoul says | Singapore Breaking News & Latest Updates

Russia may have helped North Korea with new warship, Seoul says — East Asia The test-firing of a weapons system from the deck of North Korea's latest destroyer, the Choe Hyon in an undated picture released on Apr 30,...

East Asia

The test-firing of a weapons system from the deck of North Korea's latest destroyer, the Choe Hyon in an undated picture released on Apr 30, 2025. (Photo: AFP/STR/KCNA/KNS)

SEOUL: North Korea's newly unveiled warship could have involved Russian help, South Korea's military said on Thursday (May 1) while cautioning it was still conducting "a more detailed analysis".

Pyongyang recently unveiled a 4,535-tonne destroyer-class vessel named Choe Hyon that some analysts said could be equipped with short-range tactical nuclear missiles.

Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) spokesperson Lee Sung-jun told reporters in South Korea that Russia may have given help with the warship.

"Looking at the weapons and equipment that were revealed, we believe that there is a possibility that they received technology, funds or assistance from Russia," Lee said.

Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in ReviewOur chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.This service is not intended for persons residing in the E.U. By clicking subscribe, I agree to receive news updates and promotional material from Mediacorp and Mediacorp’s partners.Loading"We are conducting a more detailed analysis."North Korea confirmed on Mondayfor the first time it had deployed troops to Russia to support Moscow in its war in Ukraine.The two countries also announced this week that they had startedbuilding the first road bridgelinking the two neighbours.

"We are conducting a more detailed analysis."

North Korea confirmed on Mondayfor the first time it had deployed troops to Russia to support Moscow in its war in Ukraine.

The two countries also announced this week that they had startedbuilding the first road bridgelinking the two neighbours.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the first day of atwo-day weapons test of the vesselthis week, according to Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, during which he ordered officials to work on "accelerating the nuclear armament of the navy".

North Korea has said the destroyer, which it claimed is equipped with the "most powerful weapons", would "enter into operation early next year".

During the test, Kim said the North's ship-based firepower system was "effectively combined" with the "most powerful strike means including supersonic cruise missile, strategic cruise missile and tactical ballistic missile".

Lee said its deployment is likely to require more time.

"In the case of warships it takes several years to build and even after completion it takes additional time for them to become operational," the JCS spokesperson said.

"So although the Choe Hyon has been unveiled it seems likely that considerably more time will be needed for its (operational) deployment."

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