Seoul, Oct. 6 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that the country's navy must be ready to "thoroughly deter, counter and punish" enemy provocations in order to defend sovereignty and national security, Yonhap News reported, citing state media.

Kim made the remarks during his visit to the Choe Hyon, North Korea's first 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer, on Sunday at Pyongyang's 2025 Defense Exhibition. He was accompanied by senior party and government officials as part of his schedule for a military hardware exhibition, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The destroyer was first unveiled in April as part of efforts to boost North Korea's naval strength. KCNA quoted Kim as saying that the Workers' Party would conti...