Kim Jong Un Oversees Supersonic Cruise Missile Test From New Destroyer Choe Hyon.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently supervised the testing of a supersonic cruise missile from the country’s first modern destroyer, the Choe Hyon. The move underscores Pyongyang’s growing maritime ambitions and raises pressing questions about international maritime law, sanctions enforcement, and regional security.
On April 28 and 29, 2025, North Korea conducted inaugural weapons tests from the Choe Hyon, a newly commissioned 5,000-ton destroyer. The tests included supersonic and strategic cruise missiles, anti-aircraft systems, and electronic warfare technology.
The development is not just a technological leap but a potential breach of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting ballistic missile technology development and testing.
Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) and advanced armaments aboard the destroyer suggest design influences from Russian military technology, which, if verified, could point to deeper North Korea-Russia military cooperation, raising complex legal challenges under international arms transfer controls.
Sanctions, Proliferation, and Maritime Law
The international community, particularly the United States and South Korea, has condemned these advancements as violations of longstanding sanctions.
The testing of supersonic cruise missiles from a modern destroyer may complicate future enforcement efforts of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), an international effort aimed at preventing the transfer of weapons of mass destruction.
Additionally, Pyongyang’s stated intention to accelerate the nuclearization of its navy brings potential violations of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to which North Korea once adhered before withdrawing in 2003.
Russia’s Alleged Role: Legal and Diplomatic Implications
Military analysts and Western intelligence suggest the Choe Hyon’s technological sophistication may stem from Russian input, which, if proven, could expose Russia to accusations of violating international non-proliferation norms and bilateral arms control agreements.
This growing military-technical relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow could reshape legal discussions at the UN and intensify debates about the effectiveness of sanctions regimes.
Kim Jong Un has publicly committed to developing a nuclear-powered submarine, signaling further challenges to international maritime law and non-proliferation efforts.
Related Facts & Background
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The Choe Hyon Destroyer: Named after a prominent North Korean general, the Choe Hyon is the largest and most advanced surface combatant in North Korea’s navy. Its deployment marks the country’s strategic push to modernize its aging fleet.
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Supersonic Cruise Missiles: Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles can fly at low altitudes and maneuver mid-flight, making them harder to detect and intercept. North Korea’s claim of a “supersonic” variant suggests it may now possess weapons comparable to Russia’s 3M22 Zircon or China’s DF-100.
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North Korea–Russia Military Ties: U.S. and South Korean officials have voiced concerns over increased military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. Alleged technology sharing could potentially breach international sanctions and arms control agreements.
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Legal Perspective: The United Nations Security Council has passed more than ten resolutions sanctioning North Korea’s weapons programs. Each missile test and now, advanced naval armament - further isolates Pyongyang diplomatically and may trigger calls for tighter maritime monitoring and interdiction.
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Future Naval Developments: Kim Jong Un announced plans for developing nuclear-powered submarines, a move that would escalate North Korea’s second-strike nuclear capability and present new challenges under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
