North Korea is accelerating construction of the third ship in its Choe Hyeon-class destroyer series, satellite imagery has confirmed.
Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the ruling People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, obtained and analyzed satellite images of the Nampo Shipyard taken between March 12 and 28 by U.S. satellite firm Vantor. The images show large cranes and floating cranes operating around the third Choe Hyeon-class hull.
The position of the large crane has been changing periodically, which indicates not simple material loading but late-stage construction work such as lifting large blocks and upper structures including radar and weapons systems, Yoo said.
North Korea is pushing to complete the third Choe Hyeon-class ship by October 10, the anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, and construction appears to be picking up pace accordingly.
Signs were also detected that the first ship, Choe Hyeon-ho, launched in April last year, is being prepared for operational deployment.
Satellite images show clear traces of engine operation, including exhaust gases from the Choe Hyeon-ho's exhaust ports. Crane movements presumed to be for additional weapons installation were also confirmed.
The Choe Hyeon-class destroyer is a large surface combatant with a full-load displacement of over 5,000 tons. It carries a four-face fixed phased-array radar mounted below the mast, enabling 360-degree surveillance. The vessel has been assessed as North Korea's equivalent of an Aegis-class warship.
"North Korea's naval modernization is accelerating, bolstered by Russia's comprehensive military technology support," Yoo said.