DPRK relaunches 2nd Choe Hyon-class destroyer: report

PYONGYANG -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday relaunched its second Choe Hyon-class destroyer in a ceremony held at the Rajin shipyard, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.

Jo Chun Ryong, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), announced the launch of the new-type destroyer No. 2 owing to the strenuous efforts of the field workers of the warship-building industry, saying the warship will function as the country's leading restraining force for sea defense.

"The new-type multi-mission destroyer is equipped with comprehensive combat capability which was developed in our own way and improved in its might to make a retaliatory strike for annihilation against the hostile forces," Jo said in an address, stressing that the country has built two large multi-mission destroyers in less than one year and a half under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the WPK and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

During the ceremony, the newly-built destroyer was graded as the Choe Hyon class and named Kang Kon under an order of the WPK Central Military Commission.

Kim met and encouraged the scientists, technicians and workers in the field of warship-building industry who contributed to the construction of the destroyer and its restoration, said the report.

"There was an absurd cause ... due to the absolute irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism", said the top leader, referring to the accident in the first launch of the destroyer back in May. "No obstacle could delay the important course of bolstering up the naval combat power."

The country encountered "a serious accident" in its first launch of the 5000-tonnage destroyer on May 21, according to KCNA reports, and investigations were launched following the accident.