Pyongyang [North Korea], June 13: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended the launching ceremony of a 5,000-ton destroyer after a mishap during its first launch attempt, and said the country will build two more warships of the same type next year.
The Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA ) reported on June 13 that the launching ceremony was held at the Rajin shipyard (located in North Korea 's Rason special economic zone , bordering the country's border with Russia), under the supervision of Mr. Kim Jong-un .
During the ceremony, the North Korean leader announced the name of the new destroyer as Kang Kon.
In about two weeks, the ship was safely uprighted and floated to the surface, completing the restoration today as scheduled," KCNA quoted Mr. Kim as saying at the ceremony.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has again criticized the accident during the maiden launch, calling it an "unforgivable" crime that "hurts the honor and pride of the country".
In late May, a 5,000-ton destroyer capsized and partially sank during its launching ceremony in the port city of Chongjin (northeast of North Korea).
Kim said the restoration of the destroyer would not delay efforts to strengthen North Korea's naval power, adding that there were plans to build two more 5,000-ton destroyers next year.
In his speech at the ceremony, the North Korean leader also called on the military to increase its military presence at sea in the Pacific in the face of what he described as provocative actions from all sides.
"Soon, the opponents will experience for themselves the provocation and discomfort of watching the enemy's ships run rampant in the sovereign waters. I am sure that in the near future, routes for our warships... will be opened in the Pacific Ocean towards the outposts," Reuters quoted Mr. Kim as saying.
The message came shortly after a media report revealed that US President Donald Trump had attempted to send a letter to Mr. Kim through North Korean diplomats in New York (US), according to Yonhap.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
