North Korea is equipping its navy with nuclear weapons. Kim Jong Un inspected 'state-of-the-art' destroyer

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that Pyongyang is equipping its navy with nuclear weapons while overseeing the tests of a destroyer presented as the latest generation, state media reported on Thursday, quoted by AFP, Agerpres reports.

“Arming the navy with nuclear weapons is progressing satisfactorily,” Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying by the official KCNA news agency, while hailing “a radical change in the defense of our maritime sovereignty, which we have not been able to achieve for half a century.”

This week's tests, which included the launch of a sea-to-ground cruise missile, took place shortly after the Communist Party's five-year congress.

During the event, Kim Jong Un reiterated his commitment to strengthening his country's nuclear-armed military capabilities and vowed to respond firmly to any threat.

On Tuesday, Kim Jong Un inspected a Choe Hyon-class destroyer, one of two launched last year as North Korea seeks to strengthen its naval capabilities, and oversaw a missile test on Wednesday, which was conducted “successfully,” according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The Choe Hyon is one of two 5,000-ton warships in North Korea's arsenal, both scheduled for completion in 2025.

A third ship, which the North Korean leader also inspected on Wednesday, is under construction, according to KCNA.

Pyongyang has previously said Choe Hyon is equipped with “the most powerful weapons”.