Pakistan, June 24 -- Kim Jong-un has announced an ambitious plan to strengthen the North Korea's naval forces, calling for the construction of two major warships annually over the next five years as part of a broader military modernization effort.

Speaking at a commissioning ceremony for the newly deployed Choe Hyon destroyer, Kim said North Korea should build two warships comparable in size to the 5,000-ton vessel each year. The ceremony was held at Nampho port and marked the official deployment of the country's latest multipurpose destroyer.

According to state media, the Choe Hyon completed military operational testing over the past 14 months before entering service. Kim described the vessel as part of a wider strategy to improve the ...