North Korea test fires weapons on new warship

North Korea has conducted its first test-firing of the weapons system of the new "Choe Hyon-class" warship it recently unveiled, state media KCNA reports.

Cruise and anti-air missiles were launched and artillery fired earlier in the week as part of the test-firing attended by leader Kim Jong-un and senior officials, the report said.

The time has come for North Korea's navy to choose to accelerate nuclear armament for maritime sovereignty and for the sake of national defence, Kim was quoted as saying.

North Korean state media on Saturday unveiled the 5000-tonne warship equipped with the "most powerful weapons".

Kim, in a speech from the launch reported by KCNA, said the warship would be handed over to the navy and go into service early in 2026.

The "Choe Hyon-class" ship was named after anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Choe Hyon, according to KCNA.