Pyongyang, Sept. 7 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated on Monday that the country's newest destroyer would form part of a nuclear response system, which holds the capacity to deliver "annihilating retaliatory strikes". As reported by the North Korean news agency KCNA, while Kim highlighted the nation's military strength, he omitted any mention of whether the vessel would be armed with nuclear weapons.

The development comes as Pyongyang steps up its drive to upgrade its naval forces as part of a wider push to expand its nuclear-capable military assets.

During the commissioning event held in the eastern port city of Wonsan on Sunday, Kim noted that stationing the new warship in the waters east of the Korean Peninsula delivered an un...