Kim Jong Un inspected a naval base under construction in North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a new naval base under construction on North Korea’s east coast, the official KCNA news agency reported Thursday. He described the project as a central undertaking, essential to the country’s maritime security and defense of its sovereignty.

Kim Jong Un issued instructions regarding the site of the base, whose construction is being accelerated following decisions adopted by the Workers’ Party on Wednesday. The North Korean leader said that building a modern naval base is directly linked to state security and the protection of territorial waters.

KCNA released photographs showing Kim at the construction site alongside navy officials. North Korean authorities did not provide details about the exact location, size of the base or completion deadline.

The project is part of Pyongyang’s efforts to rapidly modernize its navy. North Korea has already launched two approximately 5,000-ton destroyers in 2025 and intends to develop 10,000-ton vessels. Kim Jong Un has also announced plans to equip the fleet with nuclear weapons and recently claimed that the country is building a vessel with combat capabilities, including nuclear capabilities, with no equivalent in the world.

On Monday, Pyongyang conducted new tests of torpedoes, which KCNA says are expected to enter service with the navy starting in 2027.