North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited one of the country's warships, saying the 5,000-ton destroyer should "punish the enemy's provocations", state media reported Monday.

The Choe Hyon is one of two 5,000-ton destroyers in the North's arsenal, both launched this year as Kim seeks to ramp up the country's naval capabilities.

The warship "is a clear demonstration of the development of... (North Korea's) armed forces," Kim said during his visit on Sunday, according to state news agency KCNA.

"The tremendous ability of our navy should be exercised in the vast ocean to thoroughly deter or counter and punish the enemy's provocations for the sovereignty of the state," he added.

Kim has vowed to build a third destroyer of a similar class by October next year.

South Korea's military has said

See Full Page