North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled a new naval destroyer, claiming it as a significant advancement towards his goal of expanding the operational range and preemptive strike capabilities of his nuclear-armed military.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a ceremony for the launch of a "new multipurpose destroyer", state media KCNA reported on Saturday. The 5,000-tonne warship was equipped with the "most powerful weapons" and built "within 400-odd days perfectly with our own strength and technology",

The 5,000-tonne warship is equipped with the "most powerful weapons" and built "within 400-odd days perfectly with our own strength and technology," Jo Chun Ryong, a secretary in the ruling Workers' Party, was quoted as saying.