Top DPRK leader inspects major naval base under construction

PYONGYANG, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Wednesday inspected the construction of a major naval base on the country's east coast, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Thursday.

This photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 5, 2026 shows Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), boarding Destroyer Choe Hyon to inspect the sailors' handling of the vessel and the operational preparedness of various weapon systems. Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction with the country's navy nuclear armament while visiting Destroyer Choe Hyon, the official KCNA reported Thursday. (Photo: Xinhua)

After being briefed on the progress of the project, Kim stressed the strategic importance of the construction of the naval base.

"The construction of the modern naval base is a crucial core undertaking directly related to the security of our state and the defence of its maritime sovereignty," he was quoted as saying.

During the inspection, Kim set forth guidelines on the arrangement of strategic elements for thoroughly realizing the "modernization, multi-functionalization and fortification" of the base and assigned important measures for the full-scale progress of the construction of the naval port, including the powerful reinforcement of the commanding force of the project and the increase of the building force, said the report.

In a separate dispatch Thursday, the KCNA reported that the construction of a large-scale naval base is underway in Thongchon County of Kangwon Province on the east coast.