The leader of North Korea inspected military ships, increased war preparations

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected warships as part of a new campaign to support naval forces as his country ramps up its "war preparations", North Korean media reported today.

During a visit to a shipyard in Nampho, a port city about 65 kilometers southwest of Pyongyang, Kim inspected warships under construction as well as preparations for the "grand new plan" proclaimed by the ruling party. No details were given regarding that plan.

"Strengthening naval forces is currently the most important issue for the reliable defense of the country's maritime sovereignty and intensifying war preparations," Kim said.

The North Korean leader "expressed the hope that shipyard workers will succeed in building the world's largest warships."

A nuclear-powered submarine was on Kim's list of strategic weapons at a major ruling party congress in 2021, along with a hypersonic warhead, spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Kim, who recently labeled South Korea a "major enemy," has disbanded government agencies dedicated to reunification and contacts with Seoul. He threatened to declare war if his neighbor invaded his territory, even by 0,001 millimeters.

Earlier this week, he praised the recent test-fire of a submarine-launched cruise missile, calling it a milestone in North Korea's development of naval power.