North Korea vows nuclear-armed navy as US, South Korea and Japan launch drills

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Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to build his country's navy into a nuclear-armed force, as the US, South Korea, and Japan begin combined maritime exercises to confront Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threats.

Kim made the remark during the commissioning of the 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon in Wonsan. He stated that the new-generation warship should be part of North Korea's nuclear response system and capable of launching a retaliatory attack.

The destroyer is North Korea's second vessel of the class, and it comes as Pyongyang seeks to strengthen its naval capabilities, including the deployment of nuclear weapons at sea.

Meanwhile, South Korea, the United States, and Japan started the Freedom Edge exercise, which aimed to improve their ability to respond to North Korean missile and nuclear threats.