Destroyer Kang Kon Has Performance Test of Its Weapon Systems

Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The destroyer Kang Kon on Friday conducted a test-fire of strategic cruise missile and a test of major weapon systems such as naval artillery, automatic machine guns and electronic warfare means under its plan to assess and test the performance of its combat systems.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, oversaw the tests.

Among the spectators were Jo Chun Ryong, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Jong Sik, first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, Pak Jong Chon, advisor to the Ministry of National Defence, Pak Kwang Sop, commander of the Navy, Kim Yong Hwan, president of the Academy of Defence Sciences, and Kim Kwang Il, minister of Shipbuilding, and other leading officials in the field of national defence and shipbuilding industries.

The relevant tests are part of a process for examining and confirming the ability to apply various kinds of weapon systems on board the destroyer in combat.

Prior to the tests, Comrade Kim Jong Un heard from members of the weapon systems assessment group detailed reports on the stepwise plan to examine and test the performance of weapon systems on board the warship.

Then there took place the inspection of the warship's target-detecting and information-processing capability and combined firepower system and the test-fires aimed to assess the performance of warship artillery and automatic machine guns in accordance with the plan to assess and test the performance of weapon systems.

They were followed by the launch of a strategic cruise missile from the destroyer.

Noting that the combat power and creditability of anti-warship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapon systems and strategic offensive weapon systems on board the destroyer Kang Kon are being verified in a responsible manner, Comrade Kim Jong Un said that it is enough to have confidence in potential for the development of naval combat system of our own style in view of the recent trend of development of our weapon systems and this provides the great possibility to bring on a change in the readiness posture of our army's strategic action.

He clarified the tasks to be carried out by stages in developing various surface and underwater combat systems and deploying them in the waters for military action under the crucial strategic idea of our Party for national defence.

Noting that it is necessary for us to further speed up the projects to maintain and steadily expand the reliable war deterrent and capability to fight a war, he affirmed that we will demonstrate through more obvious actions our political will and determination to have an absolute power.

Recalling the fact that the Second Plenary Meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the WPK adopted a decision to build naval fleet bases into a hub of naval command, culture and combat capability and expand the capacity of the shipyards at all levels, he expressed his determination to take national steps to build up our Navy which plays an important role in defending the maritime sovereignty of the country and exercising the war deterrent.

He encouraged the warship and weapon system institutes to achieve greater success in their efforts to implement the Party Central Committee's idea and line of building a powerful army, deeply mindful of their historic mission.

He gave an instruction to complete the trial process of the destroyer in a responsible manner and commission it for the Navy within two months.

That day he convened an important consultative meeting for the development of the warship building industry. -0-