North Korea’s New Warship Sparks Fears: Russia May Be Involved

Military ties between Russia and North Korea are getting more attention.

These two countries have grown closer during the war in Ukraine.

Now, South Korea believes that this partnership may be bringing more than just words.

A new North Korean warship has raised eyebrows. Some think Russia may have helped build it, reports WP.

South Korean military officials suspect that North Korea got help from Russia to build a new destroyer.

This help could have been financial or technological. The ship is called the Choe Hyon.

It was launched in late April and weighs around 5,000 tons. North Korean state media said the ship was built in just over a year.

Leader Kim Jong-un recently inspected it and gave the green light to speed up naval nuclear armament.

South Korean officials say the vessel may be able to carry tactical nuclear missiles. These are short-range weapons.

They could hit nearby countries quickly. The spokesman for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, Li Sung Jun, said that new tests and inspections are being done.

Still, he believes there’s a strong chance the ship has serious nuclear capability.

North Korea claims the destroyer was built entirely with local resources. But experts doubt that. Building a warship usually takes years.

Even after construction, a vessel needs more time before it’s ready for action. Satellite images suggest the Choe Hyon still needs more work.

Tugboats were seen helping it move, which means it may not be fully operational.

A report by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses says North Korea has made over $20 billion through its support for Russia.

This includes sending weapons and possibly troops to Russian territory. In return, Pyongyang may be getting advanced technology.

The United States and South Korea are watching closely. They are concerned about how this cooperation could affect security in the region.

As tensions grow, North Korea’s navy may soon be more powerful than many expected.